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Measuring Eco-Efficiency of Agriculture in China

Author

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  • Jiaxing Pang

    (Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
    Institute for Circular Economy in Western China, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Xingpeng Chen

    (Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
    Institute for Circular Economy in Western China, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Zilong Zhang

    (Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
    Institute for Circular Economy in Western China, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Hengji Li

    (Scientific Information Center for Resources and Environment, Lanzhou Branch of the National Science Library, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianshui Middle Road 8#, Lanzhou 730000, China)

Abstract

Eco-efficiency is a tool for sustainability analysis that indicates how to carry out economic activities effectively. This paper assesses agricultural eco-efficiency using data envelopment analysis (DEA) and the Theil index approach. Using basic data of 31 provinces in China during 2003–2013, we analyzed the agricultural eco-efficiency development level and spatial pattern in China. The results show that the agricultural eco-efficiency of only four provinces has been relatively efficient in the entire study period, namely, Zhejiang, Hainan, Chongqing, and Tibet. The results also show that agricultural eco-efficiency was higher mainly in south of the Qinling Mountains-Huaihe River Line and north of the Yangtze River area, that agricultural eco-efficiency is mainly affected by pure technical efficiency, and that highly efficient areas are mainly concentrated in the densely populated areas, i.e. , the economic developed areas (except Tibet). The Theil index results show that the agricultural eco-efficiency difference weakened between provinces in China, as did western and northeast regions, but eastern and central regions show a slight upward trend.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiaxing Pang & Xingpeng Chen & Zilong Zhang & Hengji Li, 2016. "Measuring Eco-Efficiency of Agriculture in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:4:p:398-:d:68705
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shi, Xiaoping & HEERINK, Nico & QU, Futian, 2011. "Does off-farm employment contribute to agriculture-based environmental pollution? New insights from a village-level analysis in Jiangxi Province, China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 22(4), pages 524-533.
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    3. Hongwei Liu & Ronglu Yang & Zhixiang Zhou & Dacheng Huang, 2020. "Regional Green Eco-Efficiency in China: Considering Energy Saving, Pollution Treatment, and External Environmental Heterogeneity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-19, August.
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