Evaluating Agricultural Production Efficiency in Jiangsu and Anhui Provinces: A Three-Stage DEA and Malmquist Index Approach

This study assesses the agricultural production efficiency of Jiangsu and Anhui Provinces from 2018 to 2022, with a focus on the impact of the Yangtze River Delta Regional Integration Development Plan. Utilizing a three-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model and the Malmquist index, the research controls for environmental factors and analyzes efficiency changes dynamically. The results indicate that Jiangsu achieved a higher rate of technological progress, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0066, which drove its overall productivity gains. In contrast, Anhui demonstrated substantial potential in scale efficiency, reflecting opportunities for future productivity improvements through optimized resource allocation. The regional integration plan appears to have played a pivotal role in advancing agricultural productivity in Jiangsu by facilitating technology-driven improvements. Findings suggest that while Jiangsu should continue to enhance its technological capabilities, Anhui could focus on harnessing its scale efficiency potential to bridge the productivity gap between the two provinces. These insights underscore the significance of regional integration policies in fostering balanced agricultural development, promoting both technological progress and scale efficiency across different regional contexts.