Evaluation of Sustainable Development Policy of Sichuan Citrus Industry in China Based on DEA–Malmquist Index and DID Model

Abstract

The citrus industry is an important fruit industry, with the widest cultivation area and the most crucial economic status in southern China. Evaluating the sustainable development of citrus industry is the basis for accurately grasping the food safety situation and scientifically formulating industrial development policies. This research aims to evaluate the sustainable development policies of citrus industry in 20 citrus-growing cities and states in Sichuan province in China from two dimensions of efficiency and effect. To this end, this study develops a DEA–Malmquist index and DID model using city and state panel data from 2009–2020. The results have the following implications: (1) The low technical efficiency and technological progress index together cause the general inefficiency of citrus production in Sichuan cities and states, and the improper scale of inputs is the main reason for the low technical efficiency. (2) The implementation of sustainable development policies has increased citrus total factor productivity and widened the gap between cities and states in Sichuan. (3) Excessive production factors and financial inputs have hindered the sustainable development of the Sichuan citrus industry.