Based on the statistical data of 180 prefecture-level cities in the major grain-producing areas from 2011 to 2020, this study used the SFA-Translog model to measure the grain production technical efficiency in the major grain-producing regions and characterize its spatial-temporal pattern. Furthermore, the Tobit model was employed to analyze the driving effect of fiscal support for agriculture on grain production technical efficiency. The findings are as follows: 1) The grain production technical efficiency in the major grain-producing regions showed a stable growth trend, with an average annual growth rate of 0.35%. The technical efficiencies of the Songhua River, Yellow River, and Yangtze River basins increased by 2.75%, 3.11%, and 4.21%, respectively. 2) There is heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of grain production technical efficiency in the major grain-producing regions, but the differences are narrowing. Super-variable density is the primary source of differences, while the contribution rate of inter-regional differences is the smallest. 3) Fiscal support for agriculture has a significant positive driving effect on grain production technical efficiency. For every 1% increase in fiscal support for agriculture, the grain production technical efficiency improves by 3.39%. However, this effect varies across regions. Compared to the Songhua River basin, the improvement in grain production technical efficiency in the Yellow River and Yangtze River basins is more significantly driven by fiscal support for agriculture. In light of these findings, it is necessary to continuously optimize fiscal support policies for agriculture, strengthen regional coordination and technological innovation, and implement targeted measures based on the characteristics of different basins to promote balanced improvements in grain production technical efficiency in major grain-producing regions and consolidate the foundation of national food security.
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