Threshold effect of human capital level on agricultural economic growth

ObjectiveIn the present study, the relationship between the agricultural human capital level and agricul-tural economic growth was analyzed, threshold of knowledge, health and skill levels of agricultural human capital in the process of agricultural economic growth were researched. Then the paper provided a theoretical basis for the development of domestic agricultural economic growth from the perspective of agricultural human capital. MethodThe researchers con-structed a threshold regression model which taking human capital knowledge level, human capital health level and human capital skill level as threshold variables, and taking human capital stock, physical capital stock, arable land area and total machinery power as the influencing factors. Data from 2003 to 2014 in 30 provinces(regions or municipalities) were uti-lized to conduct the empirical analysis to the above three levels . ResultThere was double threshold effect in know-ledge level of agricultural human capital. When the average education year was 7.46-8.36, human capital has the greatest impact on agricultural economy. There was single threshold effect in the health level. When the family health expenditure was more than 5.64%of rural household expense, human capital has the greatest effect on growth of agricultural economy. There was double threshold effect in skill level of agricultural human capital. When the proportion of agricultural sci-tech staff to agricultural personnel was 0.027-0.045, human capital has the greatest influence on agricultural economic growth.SuggestionEach region should promote agricultural economic growth through reasonable optimization of knowledge level , health level and skill level of agriculture human capital.