Study on the comprehensive comparative advantages of pig production and development in China based on geographic information system

Abstract

China’s pig production ranks first in the world. However, keeping a continuous and rapidly sustainable development is difficult due to the dual constraints of environment and resources. To solve this problem, the key regions that have high comprehensive comparative advantage value of pig production and development must be determined. Therefore, this study established a comprehensive comparative advantage index system and a comprehensive comparative advantage model of pig production and development. On this basis, the comprehensive comparative advantage value of pig production and development was calculated, and the key pig production and development regions were selected using (geographic information system) spatial analysis technology. The potential quantity of pig production in the key pig production and development regions were estimated according to the European Union standard for limitation of nutrient load of farmland from livestock manure. Results showed that the largest comprehensive comparative advantage value of pig production and development in China was 0.58 in Heilongjiang, followed by 0.55 in Sichuan, and 0.25 in Beijing, which was the smallest. The 11 provinces selected as the key pig production development regions in China were consistent with the key development regions or potential growth regions defined in the National Pig Production Development Plan 2016–2020. The Inner Mongolia had most potential quantity of pig production, followed by Sichuan. The results of this study could provide support for the spatial layout planning of pig farming and the rational allocation of regional resources.