Comparative Analysis of Economic and Environmental Trade-Offs in Alfalfa Production in China: A Case Study

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plays a crucial role in the revitalization of the dairy industry and grassland agriculture in China. However, regional differences in economic and environmental performance have not been adequately specified or quantified. This study compares alfalfa production in Wuhe County (Southern China) and Ar Horqin Banner (Northern China) by integrating cost-benefit analysis (CBA) with life cycle assessment (LCA). Field data from 22 enterprises were analyzed using one ton of alfalfa hay and a net profit of CNY 10,000 as functional units, over a three-year evaluation period (2017-2019). The assessment encompassed four impact categories: primary energy demand (PED), global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), and water use (WU). The northern case systems exhibited 67.45% higher production costs but 96.99% greater profitability per ton compared to the southern case, alongside 2.13 x 10-2 greater environmental impact. Conversely, the southern case systems were less profitable and demonstrated an 18.6% higher environmental impact per CNY 10,000 net profit compared to the northern case. Regional environmental hotspots differed: fertilizer use dominated impact in the south, whereas irrigation and electricity consumption drove burdens in the north. To facilitate a sustainable transition, policymakers should implement region-specific support measures, such as ecological incentives and crop rotation schemes for the south, and water-saving technologies along with renewable energy integration for the north. Farmers and enterprises are encouraged to adopt precision input strategies and climate risk management tools, while researchers should focus on advancing adaptive breeding techniques and optimizing resource utilization. The development of a unified system that integrates economic and environmental metrics is crucial for enabling stakeholders to drive the sustainable transformation of alfalfa production.