The Impact of Aquaculture Cooperation Organization Support on Fish Farmers’ Selected Good Aquaculture Practices: Based on a Survey Data of 586 Fish Farmers in China

Abstract

This study delves into the significance of integrating small-scale aquaculturists. Through a unique linkage mechanism established between aquaculture cooperative societies and these small-scale practitioners, characterized by mutual risk-bearing and benefit-sharing, there is not only an incentive for the adoption of advanced aquaculture techniques but also an enhancement of the overall quality and safety standards of aquatic produce. Utilizing the ordered probit model, the research sheds light on the profound influence of organizational support in guiding the selection of optimal aquaculture practices. Organizational support is bifurcated into two primary dimensions: emotional support and instrumental support. The empirical results indicate that the dual facets of support provided by aquaculture cooperatives significantly bolster the propensity of aquaculturists to adopt best practices. Specifically, for each unit increase in organizational support, there are marked rises of 12.3%, 17.3%, 18.3%, and 17% in activities including seedling inspection, procurement of quality feed, management of fish diseases, and external fish inspection, respectively. Crucially, the effect of instrumental support surpasses that of emotional backing, positioning it as a more dominant factor in guiding aquaculturists toward embracing optimal practices.