Distribution characteristics, resource utilization and popularizing demonstration of crop straw in southwest China: A comprehensive evaluation

The resource utilization of crop straw, as a part of energy development strategy, is important in term of economy and environmental protection. Based on statistics for agriculture and data, the distribution characteristics, resource utilization, and popularizing demonstration of crop straw in southwest China were comprehensively evaluated. Occurrence of the straw during the last ten years in the Socio-economic Development Region (SEDR) was estimated. On the basis of it, the critical problems during the utilization processes and the multipurpose utilization technologies of crop straw were discussed. Results showed that theoretical straw yield in southwest China in 2015 was 8.2 × 107 t, and corn straw accounted for 54.28% of the total. The order of the straw yield was corn > rice > bean in the three southwest provinces. At present, crop straw is mainly used as soil amendment, fertilizer, fodder, industrial materials, biogas, and power generation. Moreover, the straw fermentation should be also promoted for ecological agriculture. Current progress in straw resource utilization in the innovative demonstration area, namely Liupanshui Agricultural District (LAD), was illuminated. Resource and utilization of crop straw, via biogas production, feedstuff, and returning to field, was about 82% of the total. At the strategic level, regional SEDR system planning should be overall planed in agricultural field, and it is a critical part of the coordinated development of straw utilization. Through the master plan practice of the demonstration area, the suggestions on state modern construction system of agricultural waste were raised.