Agricultural Films in China: Balancing Productivity and Sustainability

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the Guizhou Academy of Sciences have studied the use of agricultural films (AGF) in China, finding that excessive application has led to soil contamination. The study, published in Scientific Reports, analyzed data from 1998 to 2022, employing various statistical methods to examine the spatiotemporal evolution and drivers of AGF usage. The results suggest that AGF usage has increased significantly over the years, but has also led to environmental concerns.

Key Takeaways:

  • AGF usage in China increased by 115.64% from 1998 to 2016, reaching 260.26 x 10 kg, before declining by 8.75% by 2022.
  • The usage center shifted 235.91 km southwest, with policy-related factors, particularly construction occupation of farmland, showing an increasing influence (correlation coefficient + 64.35%).
  • A usage threshold of 48,445 tons was identified, beyond which marginal yield benefits dropped sharply.
  • In high-use regions, the yield increase effect of cultivated land construction was 11.5 times greater than in low-use regions (b = 111.225 vs. 9.670).
  • Differentiated management strategies are recommended: in high-use regions, enforce threshold-based caps on AGF input and accelerate adoption of biodegradable or recyclable alternatives; in low-use regions, increase input toward the threshold to optimize yield gains.
  • Spatial controls should be implemented to prevent AGF expansion into ecologically fragile southwestern areas.

Statistics:

  • AGF usage increased by 115.64% from 1998 to 2016.
  • The usage center shifted 235.91 km southwest.
  • Policy-related factors showed an increasing influence of 64.35%.
  • A usage threshold of 48,445 tons was identified.
  • Yield increase effects in high-use regions were 11.5 times greater than in low-use regions (b = 111.225 vs. 9.670).

Sources:

  • Research on the spatio-temporal variation of agricultural film usage in China and the effect of threshold crop yield. Scientific Reports, 2025;15(1):36857.
  • China Agricultural Statistical Yearbook.
  • China Environmental Statistical Yearbook.
  • Nature Portfolio, Heidelberger Platz 3, Berlin, 14197, Germany (Nature Publishing Group - www.nature.com/; Scientific Reports - www.nature.com/srep/).