Exploring the role of arable land consolidation suitable for agricultural machinery in mitigating land fragmentation in hilly and mountainous areas.

The fragmented arable land in hilly and mountainous areas reduces agricultural productivity significantly, and even poses challenges to agricultural sustainability. Land consolidation suitable for agricultural machinery (LCAM) is believed to be the most promising way to mitigate arable land fragmentation (ALF). Therefore, the paper assessed the spatial patterns of ALF from landscape, tenure, and farming fragmentation, as well as identifying the potential for LCAM to reduce ALF in hilly and mountainous areas of eastern Liaoning Province. The results showed that as the slope increased, the ALF characteristics became more severe, together with an average value of 0.57 in 2020. Spatially, positive spatial autocorrelation existed across the areas. In this paper, the potential for LCAM was identified by considering various types of ALF and dividing it into three dimensions (natural resource endowment, accessibility of agricultural machinery, and ecological stability). It presented a significant spatial differentiation. The average LCAM value was 0.44. Additionally, this paper identified five dominant obstacle factors for this purpose. Accordingly, this paper classified land into four zones based on the "potential" and "obstacle factors": the priority consolidation zone, the moderate consolidation zone, the comprehensive consolidation zone, and the reserve consolidation zone. This zoning provided a solid foundation for determining the sequence of implementation and tailoring strategies for LCAM schemes. In general, LCAM helps increase the productivity and integrity of public facilities of fragmented arable land by enlarging the plot size and providing a spatial basis for land rights reform. Both can effectively inhibit ALF. Together, alternative strategies involving adapting to different agricultural conditions, strengthening arable land ecosystem protection, and enhancing governmental financial support could facilitate the practical application of LCAM schemes and achieve sustainable agricultural production in China.