IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i12p5461-d1678384.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Analysis of the Spatial–Temporal Characteristics, Regional Differences, and Obstacle Factors of Agricultural Modernization Development in Gansu Province, China

Author

Listed:
  • Mingting Shi

    (School of Management, Gansu Agricultural University, 1 Yingmen Village, Anning District, Lanzhou 730070, China)

  • Shunli Guo

    (School of Management, Gansu Agricultural University, 1 Yingmen Village, Anning District, Lanzhou 730070, China)

  • Sheng Zhong

    (School of Economics and Management, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, 88 Anning West Road, Anning District, Lanzhou 730070, China)

  • Shenao Ma

    (School of Management, Gansu Agricultural University, 1 Yingmen Village, Anning District, Lanzhou 730070, China)

Abstract

Agricultural modernization is the key path and core strategy for the transformation from traditional agriculture to modern agriculture, and it constitutes the cornerstone of China’s modernization system. Gansu Province is a typical ecologically fragile area, and a multi-ethnic province in the northwest of China. In recent years, through the application of efficient water-saving technologies, the industrialization of characteristic agriculture and institutional innovation, it has initially achieved the coordinated increase in production and ecological benefits. However, the lagging infrastructure and low efficiency of factor allocation still restrict its systematic transformation process. Based on the panel data of 14 prefectures and cities in Gansu Province from 2013 to 2022, this paper constructs an evaluation index system for agricultural modernization, and reveals the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of agricultural modernization in Gansu Province. Further, this paper combines the Theil index and the obstacle degree model to analyze the regional differences and development bottlenecks of agricultural modernization in Gansu Province. The research finds that the overall level of agricultural modernization in Gansu Province has improved but is still in a stage of continuous development. Spatially, the western and central regions have a higher level of development, while the southern region is relatively lower. The time series analysis results show that the overall regional differences in agricultural modernization in Gansu Province have narrowed. From 2013 to 2018, the differences within the regions were dominant; after 2018, they were jointly affected by both within-region and between-region differences. The results of the obstacle factor analysis show that the modernization of agricultural industrial operation is the main obstacle factor, followed by the green modernization of agriculture. Based on these findings, this paper proposes suggestions such as strengthening regional coordination, enhancing production and operation capabilities, and promoting ecological construction. It is expected that, through the continuous development of the level of agricultural modernization, the coordinated development of agricultural modernization in Gansu Province can be promoted, and further, the well-being of the people can be enhanced, and the rural revitalization strategy can be advanced in depth.

Suggested Citation

  • Mingting Shi & Shunli Guo & Sheng Zhong & Shenao Ma, 2025. "Analysis of the Spatial–Temporal Characteristics, Regional Differences, and Obstacle Factors of Agricultural Modernization Development in Gansu Province, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-24, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:12:p:5461-:d:1678384
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/12/5461/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/12/5461/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bahiigwa, Godfrey & Rigby, Dan & Woodhouse, Philip, 2005. "Right Target, Wrong Mechanism? Agricultural Modernization and Poverty Reduction in Uganda," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 33(3), pages 481-496, March.
    2. Carmen Diana Deere & Ernel Gonzales & Niurka Perez & Gustavo Rodriguez, 1995. "Household Incomes in Cuban Agriculture: A Comparison of the State, Co‐operative, and Peasant Sectors," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 26(2), pages 209-234, April.
    3. Yajun Ma & Ping Zhang & Kaixu Zhao & Yong Zhou & Sidong Zhao, 2022. "A Dynamic Performance and Differentiation Management Policy for Urban Construction Land Use Change in Gansu, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-31, June.
    4. N. V. Zubarevich & S. G. Safronov, 2019. "People and Money: Incomes, Consumption, and Financial Behavior of the Population of Russian Regions in 2000–2017," Regional Research of Russia, Springer, vol. 9(4), pages 359-369, October.
    5. Tarjuelo, José M. & Rodriguez-Diaz, Juan A. & Abadía, Ricardo & Camacho, Emilio & Rocamora, Carmen & Moreno, Miguel A., 2015. "Efficient water and energy use in irrigation modernization: Lessons from Spanish case studies," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 67-77.
    6. Ping Zhang & Weiwei Li & Kaixu Zhao & Sidong Zhao, 2021. "Spatial Pattern and Driving Mechanism of Urban–Rural Income Gap in Gansu Province of China," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-29, September.
    7. Conway, Gordon R., 1987. "The properties of agroecosystems," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 24(2), pages 95-117.
    8. Zhixin Zhang & Yingjie Li & Ehsan Elahi & Yameng Wang, 2022. "Comprehensive Evaluation of Agricultural Modernization Levels," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-17, April.
    9. van Ittersum, Martin K. & Ewert, Frank & Heckelei, Thomas & Wery, Jacques & Alkan Olsson, Johanna & Andersen, Erling & Bezlepkina, Irina & Brouwer, Floor & Donatelli, Marcello & Flichman, Guillermo & , 2008. "Integrated assessment of agricultural systems - A component-based framework for the European Union (SEAMLESS)," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 96(1-3), pages 150-165, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Gerdessen, Johanna C. & Pascucci, Stefano, 2013. "Data Envelopment Analysis of sustainability indicators of European agricultural systems at regional level," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 78-90.
    2. Xiaojuan Yang & Weiwei Li & Ping Zhang & Hua Chen & Min Lai & Sidong Zhao, 2023. "The Dynamics and Driving Mechanisms of Rural Revitalization in Western China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-26, July.
    3. Carmen Diana Deere & Ernel Gonzales & Niurka Perez & Gustavo Rodriguez, 1995. "Household Incomes in Cuban Agriculture: A Comparison of the State, Co‐operative, and Peasant Sectors," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 26(2), pages 209-234, April.
    4. Alba Rocio Gutierrez Garzon & Pete Bettinger & Jacek Siry & Bin Mei & Jesse Abrams, 2019. "The Terms Foresters and Planners in the United States Use to Infer Sustainability in Forest Management Plans: A Survey Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-20, December.
    5. Schreefel, L. & de Boer, I.J.M. & Timler, C.J. & Groot, J.C.J. & Zwetsloot, M.J. & Creamer, R.E. & Schrijver, A. Pas & van Zanten, H.H.E. & Schulte, R.P.O., 2022. "How to make regenerative practices work on the farm: A modelling framework," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    6. Clement A. Tisdell, 2014. "Sustainable agriculture," Chapters, in: Giles Atkinson & Simon Dietz & Eric Neumayer & Matthew Agarwala (ed.), Handbook of Sustainable Development, chapter 32, pages 517-531, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    7. Viaggi, Davide & Raggi, Meri & Gomez y Paloma, Sergio, 2011. "Farm-household investment behaviour and the CAP decoupling: Methodological issues in assessing policy impacts," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 127-145, January.
    8. Zihan Cai & Sidong Zhao & Mengshi Huang & Congguo Zhang, 2023. "Evolution Model, Mechanism, and Performance of Urban Park Green Areas in the Grand Canal of China," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-28, December.
    9. Gerrard, Catherine L. & Padel, Susanne & Simon, Moakes, 2012. "The use of Farm Business Survey data to compare the environmental performance of organic and conventional farms," International Journal of Agricultural Management, Institute of Agricultural Management, vol. 2(01), pages 1-12, October.
    10. Ethan Gordon & Federico Davila & Chris Riedy, 2022. "Transforming landscapes and mindscapes through regenerative agriculture," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(2), pages 809-826, June.
    11. Congguo Zhang & Di Yao & Yanlin Zhen & Weiwei Li & Kerun Li, 2022. "Mismatched Relationship between Urban Industrial Land Consumption and Growth of Manufacturing: Evidence from the Yangtze River Delta," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-35, August.
    12. Shuya Wang & Xinjia Tian & Hui Wang & Chang Liu & Zhilin Wang & Qiuhua Song, 2023. "Forecasting and Coupled Coordination Analysis of Supply and Demand for Sustainable Talent in Chinese Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-18, April.
    13. Gärtner, Dominique & Keller, Armin & Schulin, Rainer, 2013. "A simple regional downscaling approach for spatially distributing land use types for agricultural land," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 10-19.
    14. Dono, Gabriele & Cortignani, Raffaele & Giraldo, Luca & Doro, Luca & Roggero, Pier Paolo, 2014. "Assessing the awareness of climate change as a factor of adaptation in the agricultural sector," 2014 Third Congress, June 25-27, 2014, Alghero, Italy 173110, Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA).
    15. Pedro Garcia-Caparros & Juana Isabel Contreras & Rafael Baeza & Maria Luz Segura & Maria Teresa Lao, 2017. "Integral Management of Irrigation Water in Intensive Horticultural Systems of Almería," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-21, December.
    16. Park, J. & Seaton, R. A. F., 1996. "Integrative research and sustainable agriculture," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 50(1), pages 81-100.
    17. Ronald Byaruhanga, 2025. "NGOisation and food sovereignty: unearthing the intricacies of NGO-driven food sovereignty efforts. Insights from Uganda," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 42(2), pages 905-922, June.
    18. Kasirye, Ibrahim, 2013. "Constraints to Agricultural Technology Adoption in Uganda: Evidence from the 2005/06-2009/10 Uganda National Panel Survey," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 8(2), pages 1-18, August.
    19. Britz, Wolfgang & Ciaian, Pavel & Gocht, Alexander & Kanellopoulos, Argyris & Kremmydas, Dimitrios & Müller, Marc & Petsakos, Athanasios & Reidsma, Pytrik, 2021. "A design for a generic and modular bio-economic farm model," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    20. Huber, Robert & Bakker, Martha & Balmann, Alfons & Berger, Thomas & Bithell, Mike & Brown, Calum & Grêt-Regamey, Adrienne & Xiong, Hang & Le, Quang Bao & Mack, Gabriele & Meyfroidt, Patrick & Millingt, 2018. "Representation of decision-making in European agricultural agent-based models," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 143-160.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:12:p:5461-:d:1678384. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.