Estimation Of Input Redundancy Of China's Maize Production Factors And Policy Implications

Among three major food crops of China,corn ranks first in area under cultivation and production(China Statistical Yearbook 2017).From 1978 to2016,the overall cultivation area and yield of corn in China showed an upward trend,but the volatility was not significant.In 1978,it was sown on an area of 19961 thousand hectares and in 2016,it increased to 36768 thousand hectares,which was1.22 times that of rice growing area and 1.52 times that of wheat growing area.In1978,China's corn production was 55.945 million tons.In 2016,it increased to219.952 million tons,which were 1.06 times that of rice production and 1.70 times that of wheat production.Due to the rapid development of animal production and processing of corn for food and feed,there is much need for further increase in corn production.It can be seen that corn plays an important role in China's food security.Under the market economy,corn growers expect to obtain the maximum economic benefit with the minimum cost.Therefore,it is of great significance to guide the corn growers to obtain the maximum benefit according to their own resources.Based on the existing problems,this paper specifically specifies the factors affecting the benefits of corn cultivation in China.Six indicators including total corn production,total planting area,mechanical operations,chemical fertilizer discount,labor force,and pesticide cost were selected,including total corn output.For the output indicators,the remaining five variables were input indicators,and input-oriented and output-oriented.DEA analysis methods were applied to the study of 19 maize production provinces in China to analyze the nature of the input factors and price of maize,and made specific adjustments and suggestions.The analysis showed that: First,the regional concentration of maize production areas is obvious,and there are significant differences between regions.Second,the radial adjustment of factor inputs presented a fluctuating trend,and the structural redundancy of factor inputs has basically disappeared.Third,after the adjustment of factor inputs,the total corn output has been significantly improved.Fourth,the radial adjustments in the output of the maize production provinces have decreased,the potential for increasing maize production has decreased,and the overall technical efficiency level has remained stable at a relatively high level.Fifth,scale returns show a dynamic trend.Sixth,the degree of radial adjustment of factor input has been getting smaller and smaller.In order to optimize resource allocation and reduce corn production costs,the following points are proposed.First of all,it is necessary to optimize the input structure of maize production factors,increase the level of production technology andproduction efficiency of maize,avoid blind investment,and promote stable growth of corn production.Second,according to local conditions,the key elements of the maize production provinces are determined,so that the level of inputs for production factors can be maximized.Third,accelerate land transfer and promote large-scale planting of corn.Fourth,strengthen the structural reform of the agricultural supply side.