Integrating production, ecology and livelihood confers an efficiency-driven farming system based on the sustainable farmland framework

CONTEXT: Ensuring reduced carbon emissions and sustainable development in agricultural production are pivotal in addressing the multifaceted demands within farming systems, including safeguarding food security, advancing eco-friendly agricultural practices, and enhancing farmers' livelihoods. While an efficiency-driven farming system under the sustainable farmland has been recently introduced in China, integrating production, ecology, and livelihood aspects, its effectiveness remains unexplored in comparison to alternative farming systems. Moreover, the interplay among different elements within farming systems lacks comprehensive characterization. OBJECTIVE: Typically, the three predominant farming systems comprise conventional farmland—smallholder farming mode, high-standard farmland—intensive farming mode, and sustainable farmland—efficiency-driven farming mode. In this study, the system boundary of farmland construction is identified, elucidating how various interrelated forms of farmland infrastructure development and cropping management practices affect the environmental and economic efficiency. METHODS: The integrated benefits of the farming systems were evaluated by investigating life cycle characteristics, life cycle cost, cost-benefit analysis and Net Ecosystem Economic Benefit (NEEB) under wheat—maize cropping. Furthermore, simulation was conducted to explore the development potential of the farming system with the greatest integration benefits and regional contribution magnitude. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that sustainable farmland—intelligent farming mode not only reduces resource inputs but also enhances productivity. Moreover, it positively contributes to regulating nitrogen losses, nitrogen and carbon footprint and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. Furthermore, this mode represents an optimal economic approach, leading to a total decrease in CO2 emissions of 9.01E+07 t, an increase in net ecosystem economic benefits of 101 billion Chinese Yuan, and a rise in grain yields of 1278 t in the North Plain of China. SIGNIFICANCE: This study emphasizes the significance of enhancing precise cropping management practices and advanced farmland infrastructure to promote development of efficiency-driven farming systems. Furthermore, strategies for improving various farming system should be tailored to their unique characteristics and adaptability.