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Evaluation of Agricultural Eco-Efficiency and Its Spatiotemporal Differentiation in China, Considering Green Water Consumption and Carbon Emissions Based on Undesired Dynamic SBM-DEA

Author

Listed:
  • Yunfei Feng

    (Business School, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China)

  • Yi Zhang

    (Runshi Think Tank Industrial Innovation (Hebei) Co., Ltd., Shijiazhuang 050000, China)

  • Zhaodan Wu

    (Business School, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China)

  • Quanliang Ye

    (Department of Planning, Aalborg University, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark)

  • Xinchun Cao

    (College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China)

Abstract

Both agricultural output and environmental pollution in China show certain characteristics of spatiotemporal variation due to the evolution and inter-provincial disparities of resource endowment, economic development level, and production mode. This paper considered the green water consumption, carbon emissions in agricultural production, and the persistent role of fixed asset investment, constructed an undesired dynamic SBM-DEA model, and evaluated the agricultural eco-efficiency (AEE) of 31 provinces in China from 2007 to 2018, analyzing the spatiotemporal differentiation. The results show that, during 2007–2018, the following can be concluded: (1) The AEE of 31 provinces in China showed the characteristics of an overall stable rise from 0.64 to 0.70 but uneven development among regions from 2007 to 2018. (2) The averages of either the agricultural resource consumption efficiency index or pollution emission efficiency index in 31 provinces slightly increased over time, while the average value of the agricultural fixed asset investment efficiency index showed a decline in volatility. The spatial discrepancy of any index mainly stems from the index disparity between groups with a high AEE and groups with a low one, with contribution rates of more than 85%. (3) It is recommended to emphasize strengthening communication and cooperation between provinces with high and low AEE and implement distinct regional strategies to improve AEE.

Suggested Citation

  • Yunfei Feng & Yi Zhang & Zhaodan Wu & Quanliang Ye & Xinchun Cao, 2023. "Evaluation of Agricultural Eco-Efficiency and Its Spatiotemporal Differentiation in China, Considering Green Water Consumption and Carbon Emissions Based on Undesired Dynamic SBM-DEA," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-26, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:4:p:3361-:d:1066063
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    Cited by:

    1. Li, Bin, 2024. "Leading role of natural resources, eco-efficiency assessment, and energy transition in environmental sustainability: A depth of digital transformation," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    2. Yuchen Zhang & Jianghong Zhu & Ke Wang & Jianjun Zhang, 2024. "Are Governmental Policies an Effective Way to Reduce Agricultural Carbon Emissions? An Empirical Study of Shandong in Main Grain Producing Areas of China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-20, October.
    3. Changhong Chen & Huijie Zhang, 2023. "Evaluation of Green Development Level of Mianyang Agriculture, Based on the Entropy Weight Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-22, May.
    4. Zhengyu Zhang & Gui Jin, 2024. "Measurement of Agricultural Eco-Efficiency and Analysis of Its Influencing Factors: Insights from 44 Agricultural Counties in Liaoning Province," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-16, February.
    5. Daohan Yu & Fang Wang, 2025. "Intergovernmental Competition and Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Efficiency: Evidence from China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-24, February.
    6. Degui Yu & Ying Cao & Suyan Tian & Jiahao Cai & Xinzhuo Fang, 2025. "How Do Digitalization and Scale Influence Agricultural Carbon Emission Reduction: Evidence from Jiangsu, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-31, October.

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