Farm scale on the transformation of agricultural mechanization services:Evidence from China

Abstract

Understanding the dynamics of agricultural mechanization services is essential for fostering the sustainable development of grain production in countries where small-scale farming predominates. This study analyzes data from 584 villages and 586 service providers across Jiangsu, Sichuan, and Jilin provinces in China to investigate the factors driving changes in agricultural mechanization services and their potential impacts. The findings indicate that the scale of land parcels significantly and positively influences the evolution of agricultural mechanization in China in recent years. Specifically, an increase in plot size leads to substantial reductions in costs and improvements in the efficiency of local services, thereby creating a viable alternative to cross-regional services. Therefore, while fully leveraging the comparative advantages of cross-regional services, we should accelerate the establishment of local service systems in key areas that primarily rely on non-cross-regional services. By optimizing the organizational structure of agricultural machinery services and innovating large-scale land management models, we can comprehensively enhance agricultural production and operational efficiency.