Analysis On The Economic Benefit From Forage Planting By Cooperatives In Poverty-stricken Area Of Western China Orientated By The "Grain To Forage" Policy

The No.1 document released by the Central Committee of Chinese Communist Party has always regarded "Grain to forage" policy as an important measure to optimize the agriculture industrial structure and promote supply-side structural reform since 2015.Qinghai and Gansu provinces,as the pilot implementation province of China's "Grain to forage" policy,have received strong support from the state financial subsidies.At the same time,both Gansu and Qinghai provinces belong to the poverty-stricken areas of the west of China.Grass and animal husbandry plays an important role in industrial poverty alleviation in these areas.Three poverty-stricken areas in western China with distinct characteristics have been selected for this study.Based on the survey data of 68 cooperatives in the three survey areas,this study compares the basic characteristics of the cooperatives,the differences in forage varieties they produce and their comparative benefits,and explore the economic benefits of the input and output of forage husbandry by the cooperatives.In order to provide reference for the development of "grain to forage" in the poverty-stricken areas of western China,this study analyzes comprehensively the efficiency and influencing factors of grass husbandry by the cooperatives.The main conclusions deduced from the study are as follows:(1)The policy of "Grain to forage" has effectively promoted the development of forage production industry in the study area.From the survey,88.24% of the cooperatives began to cultivate forage in the past five years.There is a trend of transformation from grass-related cooperatives in the study area,to a combined forage production and animal breeding cooperatives.The grass varieties planted in the study area are combination of the widely advocated silage maize and the specific dominant grasses in the different areas.(2)In the survey area,the operators of cooperatives are divided into two parts: one is the cooperative operators with rich agricultural production experience,relatively older and less educated;the other is the relatively educated and younger new professional farmers.(3)Alfalfa and silage corn have relatively higher economic benefits.The input-output economic benefit of forage husbandry is highest in Anding District.Among all costs,pesticide and chemical fertilizer account for a relatively high proportion,about 20%?30%,therefore the reduction of pesticide and chemical fertilizer should be gradually promoted.Huangyuan county's machinery rate is high,and the other two areas of mechanization and Mountain Machinery Research and promotion are urgent problems that need to be solved.(4)The average comprehensive efficiency(0.768)in the survey area is high,but the difference is large.Guanghe county has the highest comprehensive efficiency(0.931),and its overall scale is basically unchanged;50% of the cooperatives in Anding District are in the same stage of scale return,while others are in the stage of increasing scale reward.Huangyuan County has a constant,increasing and decreasing are each 1/3.(5)Among the factors that affect the overall efficiency of cooperative forage husbandry,the total output value of forage produced in 2018(P<0.01)has positive influence on pesticide inputs(P<0.01),machinery inputs(P<0.01),and forage planting subsidies ratio(P<0.01).however,seed and fertilizer input showed negative effects(P<0.01).Based on the findings of this study,the following recommended: First,continuity in strengthening the "Grain to forage" publicity,encourage the development of the concept of ecological recycling cultivation.Second,promoting education and vocational training,actively cultivate a new type of agricultural operation subject.Third,improving the Agricultural Socialization Service System.Fourth,we should improve the policy of subsidizing forage and support the development of forage and animal husbandry cooperatives.