Region selection and efficiency improvement for apple production using an indicator system based on cost-effective factors

Abstract

ABSTRACTBalanced and coordinated allocation of production factors is crucial for promoting the apple industry. We constructed a cost-ecological 21-indicator system for apple production in China based on labour cost, opportunity cost, fertilizer machinery input, natural resource, meteorological factor, ecological pressure and topography. The Hurst Index was used to analyse spatial changes in apple production in 617 counties of six provinces from 1999 to 2019. Grey correlation and TOPSIS models were adopted for optimal region selection and efficiency improvement. The areas supporting significant and sustained growth in apple production were concentrated in the eastern edge of Gansu, the northern, central and southern parts of Shaanxi, the western and central parts of in Henan, the northern, central and southern parts of Shanxi, the northern, central and southern parts of Hebei and the western, central and eastern parts of Shandong, covering 197 counties. Fertilizer machinery input was the key factor to improving apple production efficiency in Hebei, Shandong, Shanxi and Henan. The optimal regions were distributed in northern and southern Hebei, eastern and western Shandong, central and southern Shanxi, western Henan, central and northern Shaanxi and northeastern and southern Gansu. Compared with Shandong, the optimal factor allocation in Shaanxi is particularly favourable for optimal region selection, and the development momentum is remarkable despite a small county scale. Apple production has expanded westwards and northwards both between and within provinces over the past 21 years.