Assessing efficiency in sustainable allocation of agricultural scientific and technological talent: a spatial-temporal analysis in China

Efficient allocation of agricultural scientific and technological talents (ASTTs) is crucial for agricultural innovation and economic development. This study aims to systematically evaluate ASTTs’ allocation efficiency in provincial agricultural research institutions in China, aiding decision-making for local governments and research bodies. Utilizing data from 2009 to 2019 across 31 provinces, an output-oriented data envelopment analysis model measures ASTTs’ allocation efficiency and analyzes its trends, regional differences, and spatial characteristics. Results show: (1) Provincial ASTTs’ mean comprehensive technical efficiency (CTE) in China was 0.786, with room for improvement. (2) Enhanced CTE was driven by scale efficiency improvements, while pure technical efficiency declined, indicating a need for better management systems and technology applications. (3) Disparities in ASTTs’ allocation efficiency among provinces decreased, with higher efficiencies in the East and Central-Southern China regions. At the provincial level, areas like Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan, and Sichuan demonstrated relatively high ASTTs allocation efficiencies. (4) Spatial agglomeration of ASTTs’ allocation efficiency was localized in a few major agricultural provinces without a significant overall effect. These findings advocate for further optimization of ASTTs’ regional layout and management mechanisms in China.