Tripartite Evolutionary Game and Simulation Analysis of the Value Realization of Cultivated Land Ecological Products

Cultivated land is an important resource for the realization of ecological product mechanisms, and the value realization of cultivated land ecological products (CLEP) is beneficial for the development of China's ecological market. Therefore, understanding the collaborative and behavioral evolutionary mechanisms among multiple stakeholders in the process of realizing the value of CLEP and revealing the impacts of various factors on the participants' decision-making behavior are critical components in realizing the value of CLEP and promoting agricultural modernization. Based on evolutionary game theory, this study establishes a three-party game model with the government, agricultural enterprises, and consumers as the main bodies. By analyzing the behavioral developmental trajectories of several actors under various strategies, the model deduces that diverse strategy combinations will arise. The model is then used for simulations with data from relevant sources. Finally, based on the findings, the effects of various elements on the actors' strategy choices and the system's stability are examined. The results reveal three main findings: (1) The increase in subsidies provided by the government helps improve the enthusiasm of agricultural enterprises and consumers; (2) The higher the participation of agricultural enterprises in the construction of high-standard farmland, the greater the ecological benefit distribution coefficient, and the more conducive it is to the value realization of CLEP; (3) Consumers are the most sensitive to the additional costs for CLEP, followed by agricultural enterprises, with the government as the least susceptible. Based on these conclusions, several policy recommendations are proposed. First, the government should take targeted measures and refine the allocation of government fiscal funds. Second, the government should actively establish a multi-subject collaborative mechanism for realizing the value of CLEP. Third, the government should improve the policy system for realizing the value of CLEP and fully protect the interests of agricultural enterprises and consumers. Finally, subsidy incentives and signaling functions should be reinforced to support the expansion of both supply and demand by lowering production costs and increasing market awareness and trust, thus encouraging a virtuous cycle in the realization of arable land ecological product value.