Emergy-based analysis of four farming systems: insight into agricultural diversification in rural China

摘要: The Chinese government has increasingly turned to agricultural industry policy as a means of promoting rural development, which have not necessarily led an improvement in incomes nor the achievement other social and environmental goals. Emergy synthesis methods were applied four production systems, i.e., two local traditional systems maize plantation pond fish farming, one scaled Shaoxing duck (Anas Platyrhyncha var. domestica) rearing system, newly introduced specialty system common mushroom (Agaricus Bisporus) cultivation, Weishan county Shandong province China year 2007, assess compare their performances. Additionally, aiming at understanding benefits driving forces diversification, performance results contrasted with economic indicators. As indicated by EYR, ELR ESI, it can be clearly shown that cultivation alternatives are sustainable pattern, although having better than cropping farming. Nevertheless, development diversification is also affected land accessibility, investment ability even labor availability. Therefore, achieving profitable diversified farming easy task area well whole China. It unwise encourage current manners without too much consideration on degradation.