Green total factor productivity of dairy cows in China: essential facts from the perspective of regional heterogeneity

Introduction: Enhancing the green total factor productivity of dairy cows (GPDC) is crucial for fostering low-carbon sustainable development industry. Methods: This research utilizes Minimum distance to weak efficient frontier–Meta frontier–Malmquist–Luenberger (MinDW-MML) index examine GPDC using unbalanced panel data on in 26 provinces China from 2004 2020, taking into account regional heterogeneity and unexpected output. Results: The findings revealed that 1) China’s displayed a fluctuating declining trend, with steepest decrease occurring 2007 2010 (2.26% at common frontier 1.81% group frontier). fundamental cause low GPDC, as seen standpoint efficiency decomposition, technical advancement (technological change, or TC); 2) exhibits trend east west central two-level frontier. eastern region benefits clearly technological (TC) improved performance (EC), while middle western regions are mostly constrained by TC; 3) several scales. Although values medium- small-scale aquaculture were large-scale was greater than 1, did not reach effective state region. Discussion: Based these findings, we propose policy recommendations such promoting innovation technology farming, improving system optimizing industrial layout which will serve model future high-quality farming China, provide an experience other countries.