Multifunctional Analysis of Agriculture from the Perspective of Tradeoff/Synergy: A Case Study of Sichuan Province in Western China

Qiang Liao, Chunyan Chen (), Zhengyu Lin, Yuanli Liu, Jie Cao, Zhouling Shao and Yaowen Kou
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Qiang Liao: Institute of Agricultural Information and Rural Economics, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610066, China
Chunyan Chen: Institute of Agricultural Information and Rural Economics, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610066, China
Zhengyu Lin: Institute of Agricultural Information and Rural Economics, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610066, China
Yuanli Liu: Institute of Agricultural Information and Rural Economics, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610066, China
Jie Cao: Institute of Agricultural Information and Rural Economics, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610066, China
Zhouling Shao: Institute of Agricultural Information and Rural Economics, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610066, China
Yaowen Kou: Institute of Agricultural Information and Rural Economics, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610066, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 4, 1-21

Abstract: Exploring the spatiotemporal evolution pattern of agricultural functions, analyzing their tradeoff and synergies, carrying out multifunctional zoning, and determining the combination and expansion direction of agricultural functions in combination with regional development strategies are conducive to guiding the adjustment of agricultural structure and promoting the sustainable development of regional agriculture. In this context, based on the county scale and statistical data, this paper uses the agricultural function evaluation index system to measure and analyze the agricultural function index of Sichuan Province and its mutual relations. Spatial overlay analysis is used to analyze the agricultural function index for agricultural leading function zoning. Cluster analysis is used to evaluate the agricultural function results to explore the agricultural multifunctional zoning scheme of Sichuan Province. The results show that the spatial and temporal distribution of agricultural product supply, agricultural leisure, ecological services, employment and social security services are heterogeneous, and the agricultural multifunction index of Sichuan Province shows a spatial distribution pattern of high in the east and low in the west. The synergistic effect between the supply function of agricultural products and the function of employment and life security is the strongest. From 2010 to 2020, the relationships between the ecological service function and the supply function of agricultural products, the agricultural leisure function, employment, and the social security function change from irrelevant or there being a tradeoff effect to there being a significant synergistic effect. The leading areas of the ecological service function are mainly distributed in western and northern Sichuan. The leading areas of the agricultural product supply function are mainly distributed in eastern and southern Sichuan. Agricultural multifunctional zoning in Sichuan Province is divided into the agricultural leisure function, the agricultural product supply cooperative functional area, the weak cooperative functional area, the strong cooperative functional area, and the agricultural leisure priority functional area. The spatiotemporal heterogeneity of agricultural functions and the changes in tradeoffs and synergies in Sichuan Province have a significant impact on the development of agricultural functions. The research results can provide s theoretical reference for agricultural multifunctional zoning in the study area and provide guidance and suggestions for the sustainable development of agricultural economy and society in Sichuan Province.

Keywords: spatiotemporal pattern; agricultural functions; tradeoff and synergies; cluster analysis; Sichuan Province (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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