Value flow analysis based on EAP industrial chain: case of Huaning in Xichang, Sichuan

Abstract

In this paper, based on symbiotic network of Eco-agricultural Park (EAP), value flows of different industrial chains are studied, and input–output efficiencies of industrial chain and individual enterprise accounted independently are compared in the case of Huaning EAP. The results indicate: (1) the total profit of industrial chain of feedstuff processing, breeder duck breeding, laying-hen breeding, farm garden, dairy farm and milk processing is more than the sum of profits of individual enterprises independently accounted, with a difference of 950,800 RMB yuan. Input–output efficiency of this industrial chain is 1.30 times higher than the average that of individual enterprises accounted independently. (2) The total profit of industrial chain of feedstuff processing, dairy farm, grass farm, laying-hen breeding and milk processing is more than the sum of profits of individual enterprises accounted independently, with a difference of 3,258,800 RMB yuan. Input–output efficiency of this industrial chain is 1.45 times higher than the average that of individual enterprises accounted independently. (3) Through collaboration among enterprises in the industrial system, the benefits of the industrial chain are much higher than the sum of those obtained by individual enterprises, which is benefited from the performance of resource and by-product exchange network among enterprises in the EAP.

Introduction

So far, world agriculture has experienced several development stages such as infant faming, traditional agriculture and modern agriculture. Since the 1970s, with improvement of environmental awareness and naissance of sustainable development idea of human beings, various thoughts on agricultural development were developed such as green revolution, natural agriculture and sustainable agriculture. Under guidance of these thoughts, different development patterns came into being, such as natural agriculture, biodynamic agriculture, organic agriculture, no-doing agriculture, eco-agriculture and low-input sustainable agriculture [1], [2], [3], [4]. Through long-term practice, people gradually recognized that eco-agriculture is an effective way for sustainable development of agriculture in the future [5].

Since the early 1980s, eco-agriculture has being constructed in more than 2000 counties, villages and towns across China [5], [6]. From 1995, the State Environmental Protection Administration of China has successively launched the construction of eco-agriculture demonstration zones all over the country. At present, eco-agriculture demonstration area has reached 667,000 hm², accounting for 7% of national cultivated areas [7]. Early study on eco-agriculture conducted in China was mainly focused on technology application test, and then turned to study on technology integration after the 1990s. During the period of 10th Five-Year Plan (2000–2005), major special programs for tackling key problems in eco-agriculture were started up in China, among which eco-agricultural technology integration and innovation were still one of important issues. Green food production and research took a prominent position, with the research aiming to realize cleaner and high efficiency of production, etc. [7].

It is increasing clear that researcher puts more emphasis on: the role of diversified planting and husbandry [8], [9] model of symbiosis [10], [11], system approaches and design of sustainability [12], [13], [14], material, energy flow analysis and efficiency [15], [16], [17].

For economic benefits, many scholars did much research from various aspects [6], [18], [19], [20]. In addition, Wang et al. [21] introduced the recycling scheme for wastes of Beijing Xiedao Eco-agricultural Park (EAP), an eco-agricultural model with organic combination of planting, breeding and fertilizer processing. Zhu [22] made a brief evaluation on benefits of the EAP in Yuhang of Zhejiang Province where paddy planting is combined with duck breeding.

For value flow, Li and Zheng [23] analyzed value flows of ecological–economic systems of different types of farmers. Bian [24] compared input–output ratio of Shengli Oil Field through value flow in 1990. Zhu [25] and Wang [26] analyzed the value flow of paddy–crab–loach ecosystem through field test, and demonstrated significance of this system for sustainable development of paddy field. However, it has not attracted enough attention to systematically analyze value flow based on EAP, especially, to analyze cost–benefit difference between industrial chain and individual enterprise of EAP. And the literature focusing on value flow is very limited at present.

In this paper, from the dimension of symbiotic industrial network in the park, value flows of different industrial chains are studied, and input–output efficiency of industrial chains and individual enterprise accounted independently are compared in the case of Huaning EAP in Xichang, Sichuan. The aim is to sufficiently exert advantages of material exchange network in EAP, and discuss the way for sustainable development of agriculture based on community scale.