Abstract
Enhancing the rate and efficiency of crop residue utilization is critical for sustainable agriculture and cleaner production. However, differentiated utilization patterns, influencing factors, and economic efficiency among smallholder farmers remain largely unknown. This study explored the barriers, motivations, influencing factors, as well as economic inputs and outputs of crop residue utilization among 382 respondents (267 in plains and 115 in hilly areas) in China's main grain-producing regions. The results indicate that fertilizer (49.76% of respondents) and livestock feed (19.18%) were the most prevalent ways of crop residue utilization, followed by crop residue selling (9.29%), crop residue used for domestic fuel (2.94%), and raw materials (1.41%). The collectable crop residue yield (7759.24 kg), utilization rate (87.17%), total economic input (79.70 USD/ha), and output (164.84 USD/ha) among farmers in plain areas were higher than those in hilly areas (3812.04 kg, 71.07%, 66.79 USD/ha, and 144.55 USD/ha, respectively). The return on investment (ROI) was significantly higher in plains (113.92%) than in hilly areas (98.54%). Environmental protection and crop residue recycling were identified as the main motivations for the high rate of crop residue utilization, while additional inputs for crop residue utilization and labor shortages were significant barriers in plain and hilly areas, while farmers in plain areas are most constrained by the additional funds and labor input they need, while those in mountainous areas face more severe challenges related to a lack of knowledge, equipment and market access. The use of crop residue for livestock feed, fertilizer, and sales was positively influenced by agricultural income, planting area, and available crop residue yield. Factors affecting crop residue utilization for raw materials and domestic fuel varied across terrains. In plain areas, crop residue used for raw materials was affected by gender, while in hilly areas, crop residue used for domestic fuel was affected by age, market availability, and awareness of crop residue resources. These findings suggest that differentiated strategies are required: implementing targeted Farmer Field Schools (FFS) to improve technical skills and residue management; providing financial incentives to offset machinery and sales costs; promoting land consolidation and mechanized, large-scale residue collection; and developing regional residue markets with centralized collection networks and on-site processing facilities, particularly in hilly areas.