Measuring convergence in the sugarcane industry in China's Guangxi province

Abstract

Using the agricultural industry convergence framework, we analyzed the main sugarcane producing areas in China's Guangxi province from 2010 to 2017. We selected the key elements on sugarcane industry convergence and on the benefit derived from industry convergence and development. We selected six secondary indexes and 18 tertiary indexes and used them to construct an overarching index system for measuring the convergence degree of sugarcane in the primary, secondary, and tertiary industries. We calculated the index's system weight using the AHP and entropy method, and then the integrated development indicator of the sugarcane industry. Finally, we analyzed the convergence the development stage, achievements, and benefits of the sugarcane industry, as well as the shortage of convergence development. Our findings can provide guidance for the future development of the sugarcane industry in China from the perspective of industry convergence.