Increasing overall agricultural productivity in the Yellow River Delta Eco-economic Zone in China

Abstract

AbstractImproving the efficiency of agricultural production in infertile areas contributes to reducing hunger, ensuring food security, and promoting eco-economic development. This study examines the effects and mechanisms of the Yellow River Delta High Efficiency Ecological Economic Zone policy on agricultural total factor productivity. The data from prefecture-level cities and a difference-in-difference model were used, and descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were conducted. The results show that the establishment of the zone increased agricultural total factor productivity by 40%. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that this positive effect is particularly pronounced in regions with a high proportion of agriculture and high per capita disposable income. However, this effect has diminished year by year since 2010. Mechanism tests suggest that the increase in agricultural R&D, the improvement in mechanization, and the application of ecological technologies have boosted agricultural total factor productivity. The results confirm the positive effects of the ecological economic zone policy and highlight the need for further measures to maintain and increase these positive effects in the long term. Future research should explore specific micro-management and technological measures to improve agricultural performance.