Recent research has highlighted the challenges and opportunities in integrating crop and livestock systems in China, particularly in the North China Plain. A team led by Professor Yong Hou from China Agricultural University, along with researchers from Wageningen University & Research and Nanjing Agricultural University, conducted a comprehensive study in Quzhou County, Hebei Province. Their findings, published in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering, reveal significant insights into the agricultural landscape and suggest pathways toward sustainable practices.
Current Agricultural Practices and Their Impact
Over recent decades, global agriculture has increasingly specialized and intensified to achieve economies of scale, a trend mirrored in China. Following the nation’s reform and opening-up policies, agricultural efficiency has improved; however, this progress has come at an environmental cost. The excessive use of chemical fertilizers, particularly in the North China Plain, has contributed to issues such as water eutrophication and air pollution.
The wheat-maize double cropping system dominates this crucial grain-producing area, with chemical fertilizer consumption in China accounting for nearly one-third of the global total. Alarmingly, nitrogen use efficiency in the country is reported to be below 50%. Concurrently, livestock farming has transitioned to large-scale operations, which has exacerbated the disconnect between crop and livestock production. Currently, less than 50% of manure generated is returned to fields, resulting in disrupted nutrient cycles.
Insights from the Study
The study involved household surveys and spatial analysis across 300 farm households in Quzhou County, revealing six major types of farms: grain farms, cash crop farms, mixed farms, commercial farms, small mixed farms, and landless farms. Grain farms, which primarily cultivate wheat and maize, struggle with excessive fertilizer use. Alternatively, landless and mixed farms heavily rely on imported feed, generating substantial amounts of manure with low application rates to fields.
Spatial analysis indicated distinct regional patterns in farm types, with landless farms concentrated in the central region and cash crop farms located in northern and southwestern areas. This distribution reflects a significant spatial decoupling of crop and livestock production systems. The research also identified key policy factors influencing agricultural practices, such as farmland protection policies and grain subsidies that favor grain farms. The Household Contract Responsibility System (HCRS) has led to land fragmentation, with most farms covering less than 1 hectare, while rural labor outflow and aging have restricted technological advancements.
To address these challenges, the researchers propose several policy recommendations. They suggest guiding grain farms to reduce chemical fertilizer use through free soil testing services and adjusted fertilizer subsidies. Additionally, enhancing manure treatment facilities in livestock operations could promote a manure-feed exchange between crop and livestock farmers. Optimizing the regional layout to balance the crop-livestock ratio is also crucial, such as developing breeding support in major grain-producing areas and planning effective manure return channels.
This study not only provides scientific insights for promoting sustainable agricultural practices on the North China Plain but also offers a methodology applicable to other regions. By addressing the dual goals of enhancing agricultural productivity while ensuring ecological protection, this research contributes to a greener future for agriculture.
