Temporal and Spatial Evolution of Rice Productivity and Its Influencing Factors in China

Ensuring sustainable levels of rice yield has become a significant concern in recent years. To improve yields in rice production, it is essential to increase factor inputs and productivity. However, current research primarily focuses on general grain productivity, rather than rice. In this study, utilize the DEA-Malmquist index to present a comprehensive temporal and spatial analysis of rice productivity and its determinants in China. Our findings reveal that the overall efficiency of rice production in China exhibits a fluctuating upward trend, with technological progress being the primary driver of improvement in production efficiency. Moreover, rice production efficiency demonstrates a distribution pattern that decreases from east to west, with resource endowment, production conditions, socioeconomic development levels, and the political system being crucial factors influencing efficiency. This study proposes novel ideas for structural adjustments and regional divisions within China's rice industry and provides a theoretical foundation for governments to develop evidence-based policies.

Automated summary

Ensuring sustainable levels of rice yield is an important concern. To improve rice production, it is essential to increase factor inputs and productivity. This study utilizes the DEA-Malmquist index to analyze rice productivity and its determinants in China, finding that overall efficiency has fluctuated upward with technological progress being the primary driver. Distribution patterns reveal lower efficiency from east to west, influenced by resource endowment, production conditions, socioeconomic development, and political systems. The study offers ideas for structural adjustments and regional divisions in China's rice industry, providing a theoretical foundation for evidence-based policies.