Effectiveness of Major Grain-Producing Areas Policy in Promoting Synergistic Reduction of Agricultural Pollution and Carbon Emission

Strategic Insights -

A recent study conducted by researchers at Chongqing Normal University has found that the policy of major grain-producing areas in China has been effective in promoting the synergistic reduction of agricultural pollution and carbon emission. The study, which used panel data from 31 Chinese provinces from 1997 to 2022, employed a difference-in-differences method to empirically examine the policy's effect on agricultural pollution and carbon emission reduction. The results showed that the policy significantly promoted the synergistic reduction of agricultural pollution and carbon emission, with robustness tests and instrumental variable estimations confirming the robustness of the results.

Key Takeaways:

  • The policy of major grain-producing areas in China has been effective in promoting the synergistic reduction of agricultural pollution and carbon emission.
  • The policy has resulted in a significant reduction of agricultural pollution and carbon emission, with heterogeneity across regions with different quantiles of agricultural pollution reduction and carbon mitigation synergy.
  • Promoting large-scale agricultural operations, advancing agricultural technology, and adjusting the crop structure were effective pathways through which the policy facilitated the synergistic reduction of pollution and carbon emission.
  • Environmental regulation and fiscal support for agriculture played positive moderating roles in the process of promoting the synergistic reduction of agricultural pollution and carbon emissions.
  • The policy also generated additional socioeconomic benefits, including ensuring food security, promoting agricultural economic growth, and improving employment levels in the agricultural sector.
  • The study recommends further leveraging the policy's advantages, actively exploring synergistic pathways and long-term mechanisms, and promoting the synergistic reduction of agricultural pollution and carbon emission tailored to regional characteristics.
  • The policy of major grain-producing areas can effectively promote the synergistic reduction of agricultural pollution and carbon emission.

Statistics:

  • The study used panel data from 31 Chinese provinces from 1997 to 2022.
  • The reduction of agricultural pollution and carbon emission was significant, with a series of robustness tests and instrumental variable estimations confirming the robustness of the results.
  • The policy had heterogeneity across regions with different quantiles of agricultural pollution reduction and carbon mitigation synergy.
  • The study found that promoting large-scale agricultural operations, advancing agricultural technology, and adjusting the crop structure were effective pathways through which the policy facilitated the synergistic reduction of pollution and carbon emission.
  • Environmental regulation and fiscal support for agriculture played positive moderating roles in the process of promoting the synergistic reduction of agricultural pollution and carbon emissions.

Sources:

  • Effect of policies in major grain-producing areas on synergistic reduction of agricultural pollution and carbon emission. Ziyuan Kexue, 2025, 47(6): 1358-1373. Science Press, PR China.
  • NewsRx. New Agriculture Study Findings Have Been Reported from Chongqing Normal University (Effect of policies in major grain-producing areas on synergistic reduction of agricultural pollution and carbon emission). Global Warming Focus. July 21, 2025; p 151.