Spillover Impacts of the Utilization of Winter Fallow Fields on Grain Production and Carbon Emissions

Lanping Tang, Ge Shen, Min Cheng, Chengchao Zuo, Feiyang Li, Hang Liu () and Shaohua Wu ()
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Lanping Tang: College of Public Administration, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, Hangzhou 310018, China
Ge Shen: College of Public Administration, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, Hangzhou 310018, China
Min Cheng: College of Public Administration, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, Hangzhou 310018, China
Chengchao Zuo: College of Public Administration, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Feiyang Li: Dongfang College, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, Jiaxing 314408, China
Hang Liu: Dongfang College, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, Jiaxing 314408, China
Shaohua Wu: College of Public Administration, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, Hangzhou 310018, China

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-17

Abstract: Abandoned cropland is a widespread issue globally, with the impacts of utilizing abandoned cropland, such as grain production and carbon emissions, raising increasing concern. However, existing studies have largely overlooked the potential spillover effects on other regions through grain flows when increasing grain production in one region by utilizing abandoned cropland. Therefore, this study aimed to comprehensively estimate the impacts of using winter fallow fields (a typical seasonal abandoned cropland) on grain production and carbon emissions, particularly its neglected spillover impact. Focusing on Zhejiang province, this study used remote sensing techniques to identify winter fallow fields in 2018 and then assessed the impact of using those winter fallow fields on grain production based on grain yield data from the FAO, as well as its local and spillover impacts on carbon emissions based on the Greenhouse Gas Emission Factor method and a transportation carbon emission model. The results indicate the following: (1) The winter fallow fields in Zhejiang cover 5,161,000 hectares, accounting for 40.8% of the total cropland, with a notable prevalence in Jiaxing, Huzhou, Jinhua, and Quzhou. (2) Using winter fallow fields would increase grain production by 1,870,000 tons. (3) At the same time, local carbon emissions would rise by 261,000 tons if using winter fallow fields, but this would be paired with a reduction of 668,000 tons of carbon emissions from other regions (that is, a spillover impact), reflecting a net reduction (−447,000 tons) in overall emissions. In conclusion, using winter fallow fields can achieve a ‘win–win’ effect, increasing grain production while reducing carbon emissions. This study highlights that the spillover effects of using winter fallow fields on carbon emissions significantly surpass the localized impact, underscoring a critical aspect that has been traditionally undervalued, which should be paid more attention when policymakers formulate and implement cropland use policies. This study not only contributes to the academic discourse on sustainable land management but also serves as a practical guide for policymakers seeking to optimize agricultural productivity while curtailing the carbon footprint, thereby advancing towards a more secure and environmentally responsible food system.

Keywords: abandoned cropland; spillover impact; grain production; carbon emission; grain flows (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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