Spatial pattern characteristics and influencing factors of comparative advantage of sugarcane production scale in Guangxi

【Objective】To study the development situation of sugarcane production scale in Guangxi and the characteristics of spatial and temporal correlation distribution, so as to provide reference for improving the competitiveness of Guangxi regional sugarcane industry and promoting the sustainable development of Guangxi sugarcane industry.【Method】The scale comparative advantage index(SAI) was used to analyze the scale comparative advantage of sugarcane production in 14 prefecture-level cities in Guangxi, and the spatial econometric model was used to study its spatial and temporal correlation distribution characteristics and to analyze the significance of internal factors affecting the scale comparative advantage of sugarcane.【Result】The scale comparative advantage index of 14 prefecture-level cities in Guangxi sugarcane production from 2011 to 2018 was greater than 0, among which the overall scale comparative advantage index of sugarcane in the province was above 1.10, which was in an obvious advantageous position;the scale comparative advantage index among prefecture-level cities also had significant differences, showing one axis and two wings pattern. Among them, central Guangxi and western Guangxi were higher, with the maximum value reaching about 3.50;eastern Guangxi was lower, with the value less than 0.10, indicating that there was still more room for development of sugarcane production in Guangxi. In terms of spatial equilibrium, the global Moran's I index from 2011-2018 was greater than 0.10, indicating that there was a significant positive global autocorrelation of the comparative advantage of sugarcane production scale in Guangxi, and further indicated that the number of high clustering areas gradually increased to four, and the number of areas without significant correlation decreased from nine to two according to the results of LISA clustering. The overall spatial structure of point-belt-slice was characterized by increasing inter-provincial spatial agglomeration correlation. Through the spatial econometric model, the influencing factors in order of significance were mechanization level per unit area, industrial structure index, financial support ratio and per capita net income of farming households, while labor force per unit area did not have significant influence on it, which had obvious spatial spillover effect.【Suggestion】Based on the characteristics of spatial pattern of comparative advantages of sugarcane scale in each city of Guangxi and the degree of influence among factors to complement the advantages and disadvantages, enhance the spatial spillover effect of sugarcane double-high base in central Guangxi, breed fine varieties, effectively reduce the production cost of sugarcane for farmers and processing cost for enterprises, guarantee the scale operation of sugarcane industry, so as to maximize the comprehensive benefit of sugarcane production.