Evaluation of Cropland Utilization Eco-Efficiency and Influencing Factors in Primary Grain-Producing Regions of China

Jie Li, Zhengchuan Sun, Qin Gao and Yanbin Qi ()
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Jie Li: College of Economics, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Zhengchuan Sun: College of Economics, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Qin Gao: College of Economics, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Yanbin Qi: College of Economics, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-18

Abstract: Under the backdrop of the “double-carbon” target, the primary grain-producing regions in China are confronted with the tasks of mitigating pollution and carbon emissions and ensuring food security. This paper explores the eco-efficiency of cropland utilization and the factors influencing the primary grain-producing regions in China, utilizing panel data from 13 provinces spanning the period from 2000 to 2019. The analysis employs three models: the super-efficiency SBM model, the Malmquist index model, and the random-effect panel Tobit model. The findings suggest the following: (1) Although the eco-efficiency of cropland utilization in China’s primary grain-producing regions did not reach the production frontier during the period of 2000–2019, it exhibited a high level with an overall upward trend. The limiting factor inhibiting the growth of total factor productivity is lower technical efficiency. (2) There is evident spatial variation in the eco-efficiency of cropland utilization across China, displaying a dynamic evolution from northeast > western > central > eastern to northeast > western > eastern > central. Total factor productivity in each province demonstrates an upward trend, with the east > northeast > west > central ranking. (3) Regarding the influencing factors, the utilization of agricultural production chemicals exerts a negative influence, while the proportion of government financial input, labor input, and irrigation index have a positive impact.

Keywords: cropland utilization; eco-efficiency; super-efficient SBM model; influencing factors; primary grain-producing regions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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