A Survey Conducted at Sixteen Villages in Hainan on Farmers' Reactions Toward Agriculture Eco-compensation Program

Farmers' recognition and reaction toward the "Agriculture Eco-Compensation" (AEC) policy directly affected the execution and sustainability of the program at the regions in Hainan province. Hence, a survey was conducted in 16 villages to collect information for analysis. This article highlights the results with information for a successful implementation. A majority of the interviewed farmers expressed a preference for the program to combine technical assistance, policy establishment, material/cash for compensation, and dissemination on subjects relating to eco-system and AEC. Based on the survey results, a regression analysis was performed that indicated the variables, such as, family size, main source of family income, and appreciation of agricultural ecology and its functions, significantly correlated to their perception of the program. On the other hand, farmer's age and a lack of understanding on the AEC program appeared to exert a negative effect on their opinions. It was plausible that a program encompassing the broad aspects of what the farmers desired as indicated by the survey would likely lead to a generally acceptable and successful outcome. Instead of "transfuse, " it would "generate" new blood cells, and redefine the farmers as active "participants, " rather than passive "receivers, " for the program. Meanwhile, effective dissemination to instill the factual concepts of AEC in the farmers would be indispensable as well. For instance, some farmers misconceived and took the money payment without realizing the intended scientific and ecological purposes for the long-term agricultural sustainability of the nation.