Agriculture in China is often characterized as small-scale farming because of the limited farm sizes. However, in recent years the country has witnessed widespread increased-scale farming operations. In this paper, we aim to systematically illustrate the recent scale development of farming operations in China based on cases taken from Zhejiang province. Two main types of the scale farming operations in China are identified. These are based on: (1) concentrated farmland and (2) agricultural services. Finally, the trends of scale farming operations in China are discussed.
Based on a survey of 1,225 consumers in 10 cities of five representative provinces, this study was designed to understand the low use rate of food nutrition information in China after a mandatory label policy was instituted in 2013. We found that consumers always neglect nutrition information at point-of-purchase. But they refer to simplified front-of-pack labels more frequently than detailed back-of-pack labels. Fat information is most concerned especially by females; whereas sodium information attracts the least concern. Ignorance, a belief that the information is un-useful are the main cause of the low use rate of nutritional information. Thus, simplified and striking tag formats should be used to capture consumers’ attention and convince them of the importance of nutrition information. The findings can also be used as a guide in the design of food marketing programs directing at different consumer groups for food processors targeting the Chinese market.
PurposeThis study aims to explore the degree of Chinese consumers' trust and confidence in the Chinese dairy products supply chain and the relationships between trust and overall confidence in dairy products safety and quality.Design/methodology/approachThis study collected data from 1,278 respondents by field survey from five provinces of China. The data were analyzed using ordered logit model.FindingsThis study shows the following results: (1) Chinese consumer confidence in domestic dairy products and trust in actors of the dairy chain are at a moderate-to-low level. (2) Government regulators are considered to take the most responsibility, with both an optimism-enhancing and a pessimism-reducing effect (the former effect is greater), while perceived trust in dairy farmers and retailers has little effect. (3) Perceived care has both an optimism-enhancing and a pessimism-reducing effect, and the former effect is stronger. Competence and openness have an optimism-enhancing effect and a pessimism-reducing effect, respectively. (4) The importance of the three dimensions of trust related to optimism-increasing and pessimism-reduction is limited, except in the case of government regulators.Originality/valueThis study contributes to a better understanding of consumer trust in food safety and also help demonstrate to the actors and institutions involved in the dairy supply chain the best way to improve the performance of their duties to meet the consumers' needs for safe and quality dairy products.
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