Authors:Xu Yibing1,2,Liu Zhi1,2,Gu Huiling3,Deng Rui1,2
Affiliations: 1.School of Law, Jiangnan University, 2.Research Center for Rural Construction and Development, Jiangnan University, 3.Research Center for Rural Economy of Jiangsu Province
Introduction:Xu Yibing, male, from Tongchuan, Shaanxi, associate professor, Ph.D., engaged in rural development research.
Funds: Research and Practice of Graduate Education and Teaching in Jiangnan University (YJSJG2020016).
Source: Anhui Agricultural Sciences, Issue 7, 2024
Citation format: Xu Yibing, Liu Zhi, Gu Huiling, et al. Research on the resource utilization of crop straw and its development strategy[J].Journal of Anhui Agricultural Sciences,2024,52(7):248-250.)
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Crop straw is a general term for the stem, leaf (spike) part of a mature crop. China is a big agricultural country, with abundant crop straw resources and considerable output. Taking grain straw as an example, in 2022, the national grain sowing area will be 118.3 million hm2, and the total grain output will be 687 million tons, and the amount of straw produced will be 838 million tons. At present, there are three main ways to use crop straw: incineration, which is burned to form grass ash after drying on the spot and used as fertilizer; Return to the field, apply the organic materials formed by straw directly or after accumulation and decomposition into the soil for use; Leaving the field, the harvested and bundled straw is used for fertilizer, feed, raw material, base material or energy (referred to as "five modernizations") and other production. With the increasing attention to air pollution and environmental protection around the world, the mainland government has also issued a large number of policies and regulations aimed at "promoting the utilization of straw resources and reducing open burning", but the implementation effect is not ideal. The study mainly discussed the use of returning and leaving the field.
At this stage, the problem of resource utilization of crop straw
1.1 The added value generated by the resource utilization of straw is low
The general view is that the reasons for this situation mainly come from two aspects: first, many of the current resource utilization actually focus on how to solve the problem of excessive straw production. For example, the government will promote the use of biogas in areas with abundant straw, and "build various biogas projects in combination with the treatment of livestock and poultry manure, and also use some straw pellets as fuel for biomass power generation". Second, there are almost no products related to the high-value utilization of straw on the market. The high-value utilization of straw generally refers to the separation of cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose from straw and their respective utilization or conversion into other products for utilization; Since there are almost no high value-added industrial products made by straw in the current market, it is difficult for market resources such as enterprises or capital to be attracted to participate in the construction of straw resource utilization.
1.2 Farmers' enthusiasm for the resource utilization of crop straw is insufficient
First of all, there are some drawbacks to the use of returning land. For example, in the double rush season of rice in the south, adding straw crushing equipment to the combine harvester will increase the harvesting load of the operating machinery and affect the speed of the harvesting operation; Deep ploughing is required to return the straw to the field after crushing, otherwise the soil structure will be changed, resulting in the decline of soil water storage and water retention capacity. The decomposition cycle of straw after returning to the field needs to be sufficient time, otherwise it will affect the rooting of the seedling root system and reduce the lodging resistance of rice growth in the later stage. Direct crushing of straw and returning to the field will cause the retention of original pests and diseases, and sometimes even further aggravation; Increased pesticide use can cause irreversible chemical contamination of the soil, which in turn affects the final quality and yield of crop products. Second, the current off-farm use does not seem to have much to do with farmers. After the farmer transfers the straw to the recipient, the so-called "utilization" of the straw has nothing to do with the farmer because it does not require the participation of the farmer's human, material or financial resources. Finally, according to the actual situation, some local governments may provide some subsidies for returning or leaving the land, but the subsidy is only a "subsidy fee", and the amount will not be very high for the purpose of covering the bottom.
1.3 It is difficult to raise funds, and it is difficult for long-term sustainable capital investment
The main investors of straw resource utilization are mainly the government and related enterprises, and in rare cases, farmers; Because they have different considerations about "interests", this directly or indirectly causes problems in terms of current capital investment. From the government's point of view, it is necessary to take long-term and comprehensive consideration from the economic development, social and people's livelihood, ecological protection and other aspects of the whole country, and then implement investment on the basis of the principle of satisfaction; This also means that the total amount of investment may be limited, or not enough to support the entire process of straw resource utilization from research and development to marketization. From the perspective of enterprises, the operation of agricultural enterprises itself has a high risk, which is mainly due to the weak quality of traditional agriculture, that is, it has a high degree of dependence on nature; In addition, due to the long production cycle of agricultural production, it is difficult for enterprises to achieve a higher return on investment in a short period of time; As a result, these companies tend to have a very strong sense of risk and a very cautious attitude towards investment. From the perspective of farmers, as mentioned above, it is difficult to intuitively see the benefits brought by the resource utilization of straw, which will inevitably affect the enthusiasm and initiative of farmers' investment.
1.4 The development of agricultural mechanization level is uneven, and the structure of agricultural machinery is unreasonable
This mainly affects the efficiency of agricultural production (straw) and the efficiency of (direct) return to the field. Agricultural mechanization can help improve the level of agricultural production technology and economic benefits, so as to reduce the amount of farmers' labor, save labor, and improve production efficiency. However, the current situation is as follows: on the one hand, although the penetration rate of agricultural mechanization in the mainland is relatively high, the development of mechanization level between regions is uneven; For example, in some economically developed areas, farmers have purchased more agricultural machinery and equipment, and their agricultural mechanization level is relatively high; In some economically underdeveloped areas, farmers mostly choose to lease or hire workers instead of purchasing agricultural machinery and equipment, and the level of agricultural mechanization is relatively low. In addition, the shortage of rural labour is likely to exacerbate this imbalance. On the other hand, although the promotion of agricultural machinery in the mainland has been developed rapidly, there are still many unreasonable problems in the structure of agricultural machinery in practical application; For example, the aging phenomenon of agricultural machinery is serious, and the replacement speed is slow; Most of the agricultural tools are agricultural transportation machinery, and the proportion of agricultural machinery is small; Most of the agricultural machinery is low-end machinery, and advanced machinery and high-performance machinery account for a small proportion; There are fewer mechanical tools that can be matched with agricultural machinery operations, and the degree of comprehensive utilization is not high, etc.
1.5 There is a shortage of talents, and the talent training mechanism is not sound
The lack of talents for straw resource utilization is mainly manifested in three dimensions: first, it is "high-precision", especially for talents who research and develop high-value straw utilization technology; second, it is "grassroots practice", especially administrative management personnel or technical service talents rooted in the rural frontline; Third, it is an "intermediary active type", especially agricultural brokerage talents who are active in the field of rural industrial integration and development, and engage in smart labor for the purpose of collecting commissions to facilitate other people's transactions. The current situation is: although there is a great shortage of talents in these three aspects, we still do not have a suitable training mechanism corresponding to them; This not only restricts and hinders the development of straw resource utilization in the mainland, but also restricts and hinders the development of modern agricultural and rural industrialization in the mainland.
Development strategies and measures to promote the resource utilization of crop straw in mainland China
2.1 Take multiple measures to strengthen the protection of cultivated land, ensure the planting area of crops and improve the fertility of cultivated land
If straw resources can be effectively utilized, or if the economic value and potential of straw can be fully exploited, then it is very likely that the crop straw production on the mainland will need to be increased on the existing basis. Generally speaking, there are two ways to increase crop yields – increasing the acreage and increasing yields per unit area. As far as the current situation in the mainland is concerned, this is all related to the protection of cultivated land: the area of cultivated land on the mainland is decreasing year by year, and the overall quality of cultivated land is also declining year by year; In other words, if you want to have a sustainable increase in crop yields, you must start with the most basic protection of arable land. For the protection of cultivated land, it is mainly dependent on national policies, laws and regulations. For example, in 2009, the Ministry of Land and Resources proposed the "Red Line for Safeguarding Economic Growth and Cultivated Land" campaign, which requires that the existing 1.8 billion mu of cultivated land protection red line cannot be touched. For the protection of cultivated land quality, agricultural experts have given many specific protection opinions and measures, such as fallow farming, water and drought rotation, deep ploughing and returning to the field, etc.
2.2 Support deep ploughing and returning to the field, encourage the use of off-field, and promote the industrialization of crop straw resource utilization
Since many provinces explicitly prohibit open burning of straw, and the local off-field utilization cannot keep up, some local governments will vigorously promote or enforce the "return to the field" of straw in their jurisdictions, especially the direct return to the field. In fact, direct return to the field has its advantages, such as "can effectively optimize the ecological environment of farmland, improve the physical and chemical properties of soil, and increase crop yield", etc., but if the method of shallow tillage is adopted, that is, mainly in the shallow layer of cultivated soil, then the disadvantages are also obvious, such as "after straw returning to the field, the soil pores are too large, affecting the emergence of seedlings", "insect eggs and bacteria and other substances in straw are more likely to cause field diseases and pests"; In particular, "the amount of straw returned to the field will affect the production and yield of crops, and the amount of returning to the field is too large or unevenly scattered, which can easily cause crop yield reduction". At present, the mainland is more likely to use shallow tillage to return to the field. For example, the ploughing depth of the rotary tiller widely used in rural areas in mainland China is generally only 12~16cm; In other words, although deep tillage returning to the field, that is, the depth of ploughing is 30~40cm, can solve most of the problems existing in the direct return of shallow tillage to the field, but due to its relatively high cost and slow efficiency, most farmers still prefer the way of shallow tillage returning to the field. In any case, for the direct return of straw, it is more necessary to support the return of deep ploughing to the field; In the case of shallow tillage, it should be noted that the appropriate amount of straw should be selected. It is also for this reason that we prefer to encourage the off-the-field utilization of straw, because its essence is to "industrialize" the "resource-based" straw; That is to say, straw can really enter modern industrial production as an economic resource and occupy a certain position in the construction of the national economy.
2.3 Increase investment in research, achieve technological breakthroughs, and truly complete the high-value utilization of crop straw
Logically speaking, to solve the problem of "low added value", we must start with the development of "high-value utilization", because the essence of high-value utilization is to maximize the economic benefits that can be generated. On the one hand, the market competition caused by the "waste to treasure" of high-value utilization will naturally reduce or solve the problem of excessive straw production; On the other hand, the generalized high-value utilization will naturally drive the price of straw and its related industries, such as the collection, storage and transportation of straw, so that the economic or social effects of straw resource utilization will be more obvious and extensive. Therefore, the key to the problem lies in the technical level and application of high-value utilization of straw. In fact, on the whole, although the high-value utilization technology of straw in mainland China has been greatly developed, there are still some problems: either the "value" increased by high-value is not high enough, or the cost of applying technology is almost the same as the benefits created by technology; In short, the large-scale application of high-value utilization technology is basically not visible.
2.4 Strengthen publicity and guidance, create a harmonious atmosphere, and enhance farmers' understanding of the "benefits" of crop straw resource utilization
Farmers should not be "excluded" from the resource utilization of straw: in terms of returning to the field, farmers are the most direct beneficiaries, and their dominant position will not change; As far as off-farm utilization is concerned, if the development situation of industrialization can be formed, then farmers will be the most important participants in the whole process of industrialization development, such as investors, entrepreneurs, industrial workers, company employees or grassroots managers. The identity of this "participant" is mainly determined by "proximity"; The term quoted here is a term by the French sociologist Michel Maffesoli, which includes both the meaning of "location proximity" in Chinese and the meaning of "place creates connection".
2.5 Strengthen policy support, rationally issue financial subsidies, and promote the development of crop straw resource utilization through a new rural agricultural development model
In the context of market economy, the investment enthusiasm of relevant enterprises and farmers is determined by the "benefits" that can be obtained. However, at present, the resource utilization of straw not only requires large investment, but also has a long return cycle. As a result, it relies more on government support. In addition to the previously mentioned support for scientific and technological development, especially for the development of high-value utilization technology, the government's support is mainly manifested in two aspects: first, through policy guidance, reasonably increase capital investment in the straw industry to solve the problem of financing difficulties; For example, the current form of straw returning subsidies should be appropriately changed, and graded subsidies should be given to ordinary returning to the field and deep ploughing returning to the field, so as to allocate the limited funds more reasonably; Through the collection, storage or utilization of straw subject such as straw off the field utilization of subsidies, straw return to the field off the field purchase subsidies and other financial support, and constantly improve the construction of straw industrial utilization system; Strengthen policy guidance, increase the credit fund support of the local financial system for the agricultural industry, and further guide social capital to support the development of the straw industry; Local governments attract investment through fiscal and tax incentives and other policies, actively attract high-quality straw utilization enterprises, and guide local traditional agricultural producers to invest in the straw industry. Second, through the new model to guide the integration of straw (utilization) with other industries, so as to promote the development of the straw industry itself. For example, by integrating eco-circular agriculture, it is possible to change the structure of agricultural inputs, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and promote the resource utilization of agricultural wastes such as not only crop straw but also various livestock and poultry manure. Another example is to seek innovation or breakthroughs in the development model by joining the integration of the "three industries" in rural areas, increasing the connection between crop straw and other industries, and promoting the diversified and coordinated development between the straw industry and other industries.
2.6 Promote the balanced development of agricultural mechanization, change the irrational phenomenon of agricultural machinery structure, and improve the modernization level of agricultural production in the mainland
In order to achieve modern agricultural production, it is necessary to integrate agricultural mechanization into it, and modern agricultural production is the basis for straw to be recycled. In order to balance the level of agricultural mechanization, the measures that can be taken are: optimizing the regional layout structure and strengthening local support; increase the investment in grassroots agricultural machinery and improve the funding guarantee system; Use advanced machinery and equipment to improve the level of agricultural machinery operation; give full play to the role of agricultural machinery cooperatives and promote the effective expansion of their scale; Pay attention to the application of information technology and promote the improvement of agricultural machinery. For the unreasonable phenomenon of changing the structure of agricultural machinery, the measures that can be taken are: strengthening the promotion of agricultural machinery and promoting the normal upgrading of agricultural machinery and equipment; Develop affordable practical machinery to effectively make up for the mismatch between agricultural machinery manufacturing and farmers' needs; Focusing on the future, the development of advanced machinery and high-performance machinery that can adapt to the adjustment of agricultural structure; Develop a variety of mechanical tools that are matched with agricultural machinery operations to improve the utilization efficiency of agricultural machinery; According to the actual situation, develop or customize convenient and practical integrated comprehensive utilization equipment.
2.7 Pay attention to the cultivation of talents in three dimensions, improve the corresponding and appropriate training mechanism, and strengthen the construction of talent team for the resource utilization of crop straw
First of all, we should pay attention to the "provenance" of talents in three dimensions. If it is said that most of the "high-precision" talents are cultivated and used by the state and its related units, such as scientific research institutes, colleges and universities; "Grassroots practical" talents need more to be excavated, cultivated and utilized by the rural grassroots themselves; At present, the "intermediary agency" talents mainly come from the promotion of policies, the matching of their own abilities, their own initiative, and their past experience. It can be inferred that for talents of different dimensions, we should establish and improve the corresponding and appropriate training mechanisms of different dimensions. Secondly, the emphasis here is on agricultural brokerage talents. As far as the resource utilization of straw is concerned, the existence of agricultural brokerage talents is conducive to close the production and marketing of straw, is conducive to accelerating the promotion and application of practical technology, is conducive to accurate and effective transmission of market information, is conducive to promoting the development of rural related industries and the integration of the three industries, is conducive to the formation of relevant production and marketing cooperative organizations and professional associations, and is conducive to improving the degree of organization among farmers. In short, agricultural brokerage talents are actually the most important dynamic factor in the process of straw resource utilization. Finally, the talent policy should be equipped with appropriate incentive mechanisms. Cultivation is one thing, motivation is another; Training is to educate and train talents according to a certain purpose, so that they can grow and have the ability to complete organizational tasks and achieve organizational goals; Motivation is the use of a variety of methods to mobilize the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of talents, so that talents are willing to work hard to complete the organization's tasks and achieve the organization's goals.
The first author is Xu Yibing
Male, born 1975
doctor
associate professor
Research interests: philosophical sociology, correctional social work, rural development.
Dissertation patents: published more than 20 academic papers.
Funds: Presided over 4 scientific research projects.
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