Land | Special Issue : Rural Land Use in China

Editorial

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6 pages, 186 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Rural Land Use Progress and Its Implication for Rural Revitalization in China

by Yongsheng Wang, Qi Wen, Dazhuan Ge and Bangbang Zhang

Land 2023, 12(11), 2064; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12112064 - 15 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1930

Abstract

Land is the solid basis for human existence, living, and production activities [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

Research

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13 pages, 789 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Policy Impacts of High-Standard Farmland Construction on Agricultural Sustainability: Total Factor Productivity-Based Analysis

by Feng Ye, Lang Wang, Amar Razzaq, Ting Tong, Qing Zhang and Azhar Abbas

Land 2023, 12(2), 283; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020283 - 18 Jan 2023

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3349

Abstract

High-standard farmland construction is an important initiative in China that promotes sustainable agricultural development and ensures food security through land consolidation. This study measures the growth of agricultural total factor productivity (ATFP) in China, which is used to characterize the sustainable development of [...] Read more.

High-standard farmland construction is an important initiative in China that promotes sustainable agricultural development and ensures food security through land consolidation. This study measures the growth of agricultural total factor productivity (ATFP) in China, which is used to characterize the sustainable development of agriculture. Using provincial panel data from China and a continuous difference-in-difference (DID) model, the study examines the impact of high-standard farmland construction policy on ATFP growth. Results show that ATFP in China has an increasing trend with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The average enhancement effect of high-standard farmland construction policy on ATFP is 1.0%, which remains significant after various robustness tests. The positive effect of the policy on ATFP becomes apparent in the third year of implementation and shows a gradually increasing trend. The study also finds that the impact of high-standard farmland construction on ATFP is more pronounced in the central regions of China, the main grain-producing regions, and the regions with higher ATFP. High-standard farmland construction policy enhances ATFP by promoting agricultural technology change and technical efficiency. To promote the growth of ATFP and achieve sustainable agricultural development, China should continue to promote the construction of high-standard farmland and explore suitable construction models for different regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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14 pages, 248 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Does the Heterogeneity of Family Structure Affect the Area of Land Transferred Out in the Context of Rural Revitalization?—Experience from CHIP 2013

by Huaquan Zhang, Ruijia Jin, Martinson Ankrah Twumasi, Shishun Xiao, Abbas Ali Chandio and Ghulam Raza Sargani

Land 2023, 12(1), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12010110 - 29 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1511

Abstract

Using the sample data of rural households in China’s income survey (CHIP 2013), this paper divides the family structure into elite and incomplete families and analyzes the impact of family structure’s heterogeneity on land transferred out. The Tobit and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) [...] Read more.

Using the sample data of rural households in China’s income survey (CHIP 2013), this paper divides the family structure into elite and incomplete families and analyzes the impact of family structure’s heterogeneity on land transferred out. The Tobit and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) models are applied to achieve the study’s objectives. The results show that the elite family has a significant positive impact on the paid land subcontract area, while the incomplete family is not significant. After further refining the elite families, it is found that the influence of the families with the political status of Party members (non-grassroots cadres) on the land transfer area is more significant, while the influence of the families with the status of grassroots cadres on the land transfer area is less significant. Then, the formation mechanism of the difference between these two is discussed, which may be explained by the heterogeneity of their endowment structure, functions, and livelihood attributes. After a series of robustness tests, the results still show that elite families significantly positively impact the area of land transferred out. Finally, based on the differences in land transfer areas and the consequences of different resource endowments, the corresponding countermeasures and suggestions are put forward from the aspects of strengthening grassroots governance, legal awareness, and establishing and improving the protection mechanism of vulnerable rural groups. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

19 pages, 1126 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Coordinated Development of Farmland Transfer and Labor Migration in China: Spatio-Temporal Evolution and Driving Factors

by Yijie Wang, Guoyong Liu, Bangbang Zhang, Zhiyou Liu and Xiaohu Liu

Land 2022, 11(12), 2327; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11122327 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1567

Abstract

The coordinated development of farmland transfer (FT) and labor migration (LM) is of great efficiency significance to facilitate the development of rural economy and implement the rural revitalization strategy. The study used socioeconomic data from 30 provinces/autonomous regions/municipalities (hereafter referred to as provinces) [...] Read more.

The coordinated development of farmland transfer (FT) and labor migration (LM) is of great efficiency significance to facilitate the development of rural economy and implement the rural revitalization strategy. The study used socioeconomic data from 30 provinces/autonomous regions/municipalities (hereafter referred to as provinces) in China to measure the coupling coordination degree (CCD) of FT and LM. It adopted the coupling coordination degree model (CCDM), exploratory spatial data analysis method (ESDA), and gray relational analysis model (GARM) to investigate the spatial differences in the CCD and its influencing factors. The results indicate the following: (1) Regional differences are evident despite the fact that the comprehensive evaluation level of FT and LM in the various provinces is relatively low and displaying a rising trend. (2) The CCD of FT and LM exhibits a fluctuating upward trend and is at the primary coupling coordination stage, with a significant difference in coupling coordination levels between regions, and a spatial distribution pattern of central region > eastern region > northeast region > western region. (3) The CCD shows a strong global spatial positive correlation with clear fluctuations, demonstrating the agglomeration dispersion development tendency over time; the local spatial agglomeration state emerges and stabilizes. According to the distribution pattern, the Western region exhibits weak agglomeration type, whereas the eastern and central regions exhibit strong agglomeration type. (4) There are significant variations between provinces in terms of the intensity of the CCD of FT and LM, as well as the level of concurrent employment business, the level of non-agricultural industry development, the level of urbanization, the level of agricultural equipment, and the land approval. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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16 pages, 1984 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Theoretical Approach and Practice of Farmland Rights System Reform from Decentralization to Centralization Promoting Agricultural Modernization: Evidence from Yuyang District in Shaanxi, China

by Lu Cai, Chaoqing Chai, Bangbang Zhang, Feng Yang, Wei Wang and Chengdong Zhang

Land 2022, 11(12), 2241; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11122241 - 9 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1773

Abstract

The Chinese government is attempting to readjust the relationship of farmland rights by farmland rights system reform to optimize the allocation of farmland by market means. Therefore, this study is aimed at exploring the effectiveness of the farmland rights system reform from decentralization [...] Read more.

The Chinese government is attempting to readjust the relationship of farmland rights by farmland rights system reform to optimize the allocation of farmland by market means. Therefore, this study is aimed at exploring the effectiveness of the farmland rights system reform from decentralization to centralization and its impacts on agricultural modernization. In this study, the shift theory of land rights is introduced to analyze the approach of the reform promoting agricultural modernization, and the practice of Yuyang District as evidence illustrates that the reform is a further extension of the land marketization reform, which clears the obstacles of market allocation of farmlands and promotes agricultural modernization by achieving three objectives of agricultural production. The results of this study show the reform is beneficial to a high level of yield, efficient production, and environment friendly in agricultural production, so the reform indirectly promotes agricultural modernization. Meanwhile, Yuyang District’s experiences show that the farmland issue is a complex one, which should be considered from the perspectives of public benefits and private benefits, and appropriate farmland rights system reform is a policy accelerator for facilitating agricultural modernization. Generally, this study not only innovatively links the farmland rights system reform with the three objectives of agricultural production to analysis impact mechanism of the reform on agricultural modernization, but it also confirms the effectiveness of the reform design of the central government and provides some advanced experiences for other regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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15 pages, 276 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Is There Herd Effect in Farmers’ Land Transfer Behavior?

by Jia Gao, Rongrong Zhao and Xiao Lyu

Land 2022, 11(12), 2191; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11122191 - 2 Dec 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3431

Abstract

China’s rural land transfer market has been plagued by issues including poor information transmission, limited scale, and an incoherent structure. In this context, this study collected the data of 337 farmers in Qufu City, Shandong Province, and incorporated into the analysis the acquaintance-based [...] Read more.

China’s rural land transfer market has been plagued by issues including poor information transmission, limited scale, and an incoherent structure. In this context, this study collected the data of 337 farmers in Qufu City, Shandong Province, and incorporated into the analysis the acquaintance-based nature of rural society that includes strong geographic ties. Taking the herd effect as the starting point, this paper it considers how farmers in the same geo-network affect the land transfer behavior of individual farmers, and adopts the Probit model to analyze the impact of geo-networks to verify the function of the herd effect in farmers’ land transfer behavior. Then, the IV-Probit model is applied to solve the endogenous problem of the herd effect. The results show that: (1) Farmers imitate the land transfer behavior of other farmers in the same geo-network. Geo-networks positively impact the land transfer behavior of farmers, and the herd effect is apparent in farmers’ land transfer behavior. (2) Farmers’ family background, resource endowment, and cognitive features are key factors that influencing farmers’ land transfer behavior. (3) Farmers’ land transfer behavior is more significantly influenced in groups with low and middle agricultural income than in groups with high agricultural income. This study aims to assist the government in giving full play to the positive role of the herd effect, promoting the leading role of village cadres as leader sheep, and smoothing the transmission of land transfer information. Governments should place more emphasis on developing land transfer platforms and invest more in the construction of farmland infrastructure. This paper may serve as a reference to achieve large-scale agriculture operation via land transfer and promote the prosperity of the land transfer market. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

21 pages, 1498 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Impact of Farmland Transfer on Rural Household Consumption: Evidence from Yunnan Province, China

by Mingyong Hong and Lei Lou

Land 2022, 11(12), 2147; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11122147 - 28 Nov 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1664

Abstract

By constructing the analytical framework of “farmland transfer—farmland function—income structure—rural household consumption”, based on the sample data of 537 rural households in 50 villages in Yunnan Province of China, this paper uses the OLS model to explore the impact of farmland transfer on [...] Read more.

By constructing the analytical framework of “farmland transfer—farmland function—income structure—rural household consumption”, based on the sample data of 537 rural households in 50 villages in Yunnan Province of China, this paper uses the OLS model to explore the impact of farmland transfer on rural household consumption and uses an intermediary effect model to further explore its internal transmission mechanism. The research finds that: (1) Farmland transfer (farmland transfer-out or farmland transfer-in) can stimulate rural household consumption. (2) The coefficient of farmland transfer-out to non-food consumption is 0.118, which is greater than its coefficient of food consumption of 0.016; the rural households of farmland transfer-out are more willing to increase non-food consumption expenditure, which is conducive to the optimization of their consumption structure. (3) The coefficient of farmland transfer-in to food consumption is 0.028, which is greater than its coefficient to non-food consumption of 0.009; the rural households of farmland transfer-in are more willing to increase food consumption expenditure, which is not conducive to the optimization of their consumption structure. (4) Rural household consumption expenditure will show a downward trend with the increase in the age of the head of the rural household, and the consumption structure will also show a deterioration. (5) The more family assets rural households have, the stronger their consumption expenditure capacity, which is conducive to optimizing their consumption structure. (6) The results of the intermediary effect model show that farmland transfer affects rural households’ consumption and consumption structure by affecting rural households’ income under different livelihood modes. Accordingly, the paper puts forward some suggestions on establishing the benefit coordination mechanism of farmland transfer, improving the non-agricultural employment mechanism of the rural surplus labor force, raising the expected return on farmland investment, increasing the proportion of household income saved appropriately and strengthening the social security mechanism in order to further promote the orderly transfer of farmland, improve the consumption capacity and consumption level of rural households, expand rural domestic demand and promote rural consumption upgrading. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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18 pages, 5838 KiB

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Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Rural Settlements in Metropolitan Fringe Area: A Case Study of Nanjing, China

by Rongtian Zhang and Xiaolin Zhang

Land 2022, 11(11), 1989; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11111989 - 6 Nov 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5082

Abstract

Rural settlement is the core content of rural geography research. Exploring the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of rural settlements can provide reference for the optimization of rural settlements. This paper selected Nanjing as a typical case, based on remote sensing image, [...] Read more.

Rural settlement is the core content of rural geography research. Exploring the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of rural settlements can provide reference for the optimization of rural settlements. This paper selected Nanjing as a typical case, based on remote sensing image, using R statistics, kernel density analysis, hot spot detection analysis and semi variogram function; the paper analyzed the spatial, scale and morphological distribution characteristics of rural settlements; and preliminarily analyzed the influencing factors of rural settlements distribution in the metropolitan fringe area. The results showed that: (1) The spatial distribution of rural settlements generally presented a “multi-core” center, and a spatial distribution trend of stepwise decline from the core to the periphery, showing a typical “core-edge” structure. (2) There was a significant spatial difference in the scale distribution of rural settlements, which was characterized by a gradual decrease in the scale of rural settlements with the increase in the distance from the central urban area. (3) The morphological distribution of rural settlements showed spatial differentiation, and the morphological types of settlements mainly included strip, arcbelt, cluster and scatter. (4) The distribution of rural settlements was affected by such factors as terrain, river system, traffic, economic and social development, cultural and policy. The distribution of rural settlements had the location orientation of “low altitude, water affinity and road affinity”. The increase in agricultural population, rural economic development, cultural and policy factors played an important role in the distribution of rural settlements in the metropolitan fringe area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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20 pages, 18232 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial–Temporal Change in Paddy Field and Dryland in Different Topographic Gradients: A Case Study of China during 1990–2020

by Shuai Xie, Guanyi Yin, Wei Wei, Qingzhi Sun and Zhan Zhang

Land 2022, 11(10), 1851; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11101851 - 20 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2037

Abstract

As a country with a vast area and complex terrain, the differentiation between paddy field and dryland under different topographic gradients in China is difficult. Based on a land-use grid data set with an accuracy of 1 km, this study applied the Topographic [...] Read more.

As a country with a vast area and complex terrain, the differentiation between paddy field and dryland under different topographic gradients in China is difficult. Based on a land-use grid data set with an accuracy of 1 km, this study applied the Topographic Potential Index and used land-use transition matrices and landscape analysis to compare the change in dryland and paddy field in China from 1990 to 2020 at different elevations, slopes, and slope aspects. The results indicate that paddy field and dryland were mostly distributed in areas with better photothermal conditions. However, in recent years, the paddy field and dryland on the “sunny” slope decreased. Specifically, the area of paddy field and dryland on the southeast, south, and southwest slopes decreased, while they increased on the northwest, north, and northeast slopes. From 1990 to 2020, land conversion among paddy field, dryland, and other land use was mostly concentrated in the third ladder (<500 m elevation) of China. However, the changes in paddy field and dryland have now become active on the second ladder of China. Moreover, the change from other land to dryland on the second ladder accounted for nearly 50% of the country’s change from other land to dryland. Paddy fields and drylands in areas with low elevation and low slopes were reduced, whereas those with higher elevation and higher slopes increased, indicating that the arable land in mountainous areas increased. This indicates that the topographic conditions of arable land that become worse may aggravate soil erosion in the planting process. The landscape fragmentation of paddy field and dryland increased. Compared with paddy field, the dryland was more aggregated, the shape was more complex, and the land plots were more fragmented. As a result, paddy field and dryland show significant differences in their spatial–temporal pattern, landscape characteristics, and land-use changes, and these results can provide an important reference for the sustainable utilization of arable land resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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15 pages, 4520 KiB

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The Willingness and Technology Preferences of Farmers and Their Influencing Factors for Soil Remediation

by Yunxian Yan, Lingqing Wang and Jun Yang

Land 2022, 11(10), 1821; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11101821 - 17 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1729

Abstract

Farmers are one of the major uncertainty factors in remediation of contamination farmland. Based on the face-to-face questionnaire survey data of 553 farmers in 4 heavy metal-contaminated agricultural soil remediation projects in China, this study used methods, such as structural equation modeling and [...] Read more.

Farmers are one of the major uncertainty factors in remediation of contamination farmland. Based on the face-to-face questionnaire survey data of 553 farmers in 4 heavy metal-contaminated agricultural soil remediation projects in China, this study used methods, such as structural equation modeling and random forest to explore farmers’ willingness to remediate, technology preference, and their key influencing factors for the first time. The results showed that farmers were willing to remediate contaminated soil and preferred phytoremediation, with 82.8% choosing phytoremediation, 12.5% choosing passivation, and 4.7% believing that the soil did not need to be remediated. In terms of willingness to remediate, the perceived benefits from participation in current remediation projects directly contributed to future willingness, with participation status (total impact coefficient 0.86) and perceived benefits (impact coefficient 0.49) being the main factors positively influencing farmers’ willingness. With regard to technology preference, technical characteristics (soil quality, 17.1%; secondary contamination, 16.8%; and remediation period, 11.5%) were the main influencing factors. The sustainability of passivation effect and the possible secondary contamination restrict the promotion of passivation, whereas the cessation of agricultural production during the long remediation period restricts the promotion of phytoremediation. It is recommended to increase farmers’ willingness to remediate by improving their perceived benefits and continuously overcoming the technical barriers by: (i) developing efficient and green passivators; and (ii) improving the efficiency of phytoremediation as well as intercropping or rotating cash crops while remediating. The results have important reference value for soil remediation in agricultural countries with small arable land per capita. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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20 pages, 4841 KiB

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Eco-Environmental Effects of Changes in Territorial Spatial Pattern and Their Driving Forces in Qinghai, China (1980–2020)

by Xinyan Wu, Jinmei Ding, Bingjie Lu, Yuanyuan Wan, Linna Shi and Qi Wen

Land 2022, 11(10), 1772; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11101772 - 12 Oct 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1713

Abstract

As urbanization and industrialization have advanced in leaps and bounds, the territorial spatial pattern of Qinghai has experienced profound transformation and reconstruction, which has been directly reflected in land-use changes and affected the eco-environment. In this context, we constructed a functional classification system [...] Read more.

As urbanization and industrialization have advanced in leaps and bounds, the territorial spatial pattern of Qinghai has experienced profound transformation and reconstruction, which has been directly reflected in land-use changes and affected the eco-environment. In this context, we constructed a functional classification system of “production-living-ecological” (PLE), used remote sensing data for six periods from 1980 to 2020, and employed the land transfer matrix, eco-environmental quality index, ecological contribution rate of land-use transformation and geographical detectors to analyze the changes in the territorial spatial patterns, eco-environmental effects and driving forces of eco-environmental quality. The results revealed that (1) the spatial distribution of the province was characterized by the relative agglomeration of the production and living spaces and the absolute dominance of ecological spaces; (2) The eco-environmental quality of the region portrayed a steady improvement, with a significant reduction in the medium–low and low-quality areas; and (3) the annual average precipitation, proportion of non-agricultural area, and socio-economic factors had a significant impact on the eco-environmental quality of the region, meanwhile, national economy and ecological policies are important indirect driving forces of eco-environmental quality. Our findings will provide guidelines for territorial spatial management and serve as a reference for eco-environmental protection in Qinghai. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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17 pages, 1500 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Scale and Revenue of the Land-Use Balance Quota in Zhejiang Province: Based on the Inverted U-Shaped Curve

by Yaya Jin, Bangbang Zhang, Hanbing Zhang, Li Tan and Jialin Ma

Land 2022, 11(10), 1743; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11101743 - 8 Oct 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1850

Abstract

The project-based construction land-use policy of ‘increasing versus decreasing balance’ (IVDB) is pivotal to easing the contradiction between urban and rural land in China. Understanding the relationship between the scale and revenue of the balanced quota is crucial for increasing the efficiency of [...] Read more.

The project-based construction land-use policy of ‘increasing versus decreasing balance’ (IVDB) is pivotal to easing the contradiction between urban and rural land in China. Understanding the relationship between the scale and revenue of the balanced quota is crucial for increasing the efficiency of quota-allocated, and further improving, IVDB performance. However, existing studies have rarely revealed the impact of the balanced quota’s scale on its revenue, supported through empirical evidence. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between the scale and revenue of the balanced quota and used the quadratic econometric model to explore the inverted U-shaped impact of the scale of the balanced quota on the revenue of the 1907 IVDB projects in Zhejiang province. The results show that: (1) the relationship between the quota’s scale and the revenue shows an inverted ‘U’ type in Zhejiang. On the premise of considering three control variable groups, the optimally balanced quota of Zhejiang province is 7.19 ha. (2) There is spatial heterogeneity in the optimal scale of the balanced quota in Zhejiang and the appreciated scale of the quota in northeast and southwest Zhejiang is 9.50 ha and 6.03 ha, respectively. Then we discussed problems associated with the scale and revenue of the project-based balanced quota under the implementation of the IVDB policy. The study enriches the performance analysis of IVDB policy from the point of view of economic perspective and tries to provide a scientific basis for the appropriate size quota for local government. Finally, comprehensive consideration of inputs to allocate the balanced quota, optimizing the rural resettlements spatial planning, and strengthening central-government supervision is put forward. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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17 pages, 4238 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Non-Agriculturalization of Cultivated Land in Karst Mountainous Areas in China

by Huiqing Han, Huirong Peng, Song Li, Jianqiang Yang and Zhenggang Yan

Land 2022, 11(10), 1727; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11101727 - 5 Oct 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1984

Abstract

When used for agricultural production, karst mountainous areas are susceptible to soil degradation due to the effects of soluble rocks and the climate. To mitigate the risk, the Grain for Green Project, a sizable initiative, was commenced to transition cultivated land away from [...] Read more.

When used for agricultural production, karst mountainous areas are susceptible to soil degradation due to the effects of soluble rocks and the climate. To mitigate the risk, the Grain for Green Project, a sizable initiative, was commenced to transition cultivated land away from agricultural use. This conversion of cultivated land to non-agricultural land has been significant. The study area considered in this research included four small towns in southwest China in karst mountainous areas with various morphologies. The investigation of the non-agriculturalization of cultivated land in the four sample areas revealed that the non-agriculturalization rate of cultivated land as a result of the Grain for Green Project has reached between 21.36% and 51.43% each decade. Thus, the Grain for Green Project has been advantageous for lowering the landscape ecological risk. Furthermore, because an increasing number of agricultural production materials have been introduced to the cultivated land, the conversion from cultivated land to non-agricultural land has not caused a staple food crisis on the national scale. However, it is impossible to observe all the potential drawbacks of the non-agriculturalization of cultivated land from satellite photos alone, and further social data collection is required. The findings of this study can offer precise information for policymaking in relation to the protection of rural cultivated land and rural spatial optimization in karst mountainous areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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20 pages, 1732 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Decision-Making Evaluation of the Pilot Project of Comprehensive Land Consolidation from the Perspective of Farmers and Social Investors: A Case Study of the Project Applied in Xianning City, Hubei Province, in 2020

by Wei Xia and Gangqiao Yang

Land 2022, 11(9), 1534; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11091534 - 10 Sep 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1490

Abstract

Comprehensive land consolidation is an important means to implement the rural revitalization strategy. The decision-making of comprehensive land consolidation projects is the basis of scientifically selecting land consolidation projects, ensuring the quality of project, and making the project advance in an orderly manner. [...] Read more.

Comprehensive land consolidation is an important means to implement the rural revitalization strategy. The decision-making of comprehensive land consolidation projects is the basis of scientifically selecting land consolidation projects, ensuring the quality of project, and making the project advance in an orderly manner. Compared with the traditional land consolidation project, the overall land consolidation project has a large demand for funds, and the participation of social capital has become an important way to solve the project funding problem. From the perspective of farmers and social investors, this research constructs a comprehensive land consolidation project decision-making evaluation index system and evaluation method from five aspects, including agricultural land consolidation, construction land consolidation, rural ecological protection and restoration, rural historical and cultural protection, and rural industrial development goals. The results show that there is a big difference in the evaluation results from the perspective of farmers and social investors. Considering the urgency of farmers’ needs and the investment willingness of social investors in comprehensive land consolidation, the evaluation results are basically consistent with the actual project approval. The index system and evaluation method established in this study are helpful to scientifically select pilot projects of comprehensive land consolidation and invest limited government financial funds into the consolidation contents that are both urgently needed by farmers and willing to be invested by social investors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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19 pages, 3580 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Use of Cultivated Land for Multiple Functions in Major Grain-Producing Areas in Northeast China: Spatial-Temporal Pattern and Driving Forces

by Jia Gao, Yaohui Zhu, Rongrong Zhao and Hongjun Sui

Land 2022, 11(9), 1476; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11091476 - 3 Sep 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4342

Abstract

The increasing scarcity of cultivated land resources necessitates the continuous change in cultivated land functions. Cultivated land has gradually changed from being used for a single function to multiple functions. The use of cultivated land for multiple functions has become an important way [...] Read more.

The increasing scarcity of cultivated land resources necessitates the continuous change in cultivated land functions. Cultivated land has gradually changed from being used for a single function to multiple functions. The use of cultivated land for multiple functions has become an important way to achieve the sustainable use, management, and protection of cultivated land. In this, the development of different functions of cultivated land must be coordinated. Thus, clarifying the evolution trend of the use of cultivated land for various functions, calculating the coupling and coordination degrees of these multiple functions, and identifying the driving factors in these uses play important roles in realizing the orderly development of cultivated land multifunctionality. This paper defined multifunctioning cultivated land as containing a production function, a social function, and an ecological function. Based on the socioeconomic panel data and geospatial data of Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning, which are the major grain-producing areas of northeast China, in the years 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 we calculated the multiple function coupling coordination degree of cultivated land using the Coupling Coordination Degree Model and identified the driving forces in the evolution of the spatial-temporal pattern of cultivated land multifunctionality using Geodetector. The results show that from 2005 to 2020, there were significant regional differences in terms of the production, social, and ecological functions of cultivated land in the research areas. The multifunctional coupling coordination degree of cultivated land in the study areas was gradually improved. The spatial-temporal evolution of the multifunctional coupling coordination degree of cultivated land was found to mainly be influenced by the level of agricultural development, such as the level of per capita disposable income and the rate of effective irrigation of cultivated land. The government should attempt to guarantee the comparative benefits of agricultural production to increase the income level of farmers; increase investment in agricultural infrastructure construction to improve the level of agriculture development; and implement a strict farmland protection policy to achieve the continuous improvement of the productivity of cultivated land, realize the ordered development of coupling, and improve the coordination of the use of cultivated land for multiple functions. The results of this study are applicable not only to northeast China but also to other major grain-producing areas that are under pressure to protect their cultivated land and achieve the suitable use of cultivated land. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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24 pages, 1470 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Land Certificated Program and Farmland “Stickiness” of Rural Labor: Based on the Perspective of Land Production Function

by Xiaoyu Sun, Weijing Zhu, Aili Chen and Gangqiao Yang

Land 2022, 11(9), 1469; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11091469 - 2 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2406

Abstract

The instability of farmland rights is the fundamental reason for the decrease in the “stickiness” of farmland in China. The Land Certificated Program (LCP) plays an important role in clarifying the ownership of land and stabilizing the property rights of land, as well [...] Read more.

The instability of farmland rights is the fundamental reason for the decrease in the “stickiness” of farmland in China. The Land Certificated Program (LCP) plays an important role in clarifying the ownership of land and stabilizing the property rights of land, as well as enhancing the land production function. Most existing literature focuses on the impact of the LCP on non-agricultural labor participation, while research on agricultural labor participation is scarce. This paper analyzes the impact of the LCP on farmland “stickiness” based on the perspective of land production function. This paper also applies propensity score matching (PSM) using CLDS data from 2016 and 2018 to evaluate the policy effect of the LCP on farmland “stickiness”, and conducts heterogeneity analysis and the robustness test. In addition, this paper examines the mechanism of the influence of LCP on farmland “stickiness” by using the mediating effect model. The results of this analysis showed that: (1) The impact of the LCP on farmland “stickiness” is significant, as the rate of agricultural labor participation has increased by 4.8% to 4.9%. (2) The incentive effect is heterogeneous, and has significant impacts on non-professional households, as well as on small and medium-sized of farms. (3) The sensitivity test revealed that unobservable factors do not have an impact on the LCP estimation results, and the results of the PSM estimation were robust. (4) The policy effect of the LCP at the village level also confirms the robustness of the promotion effect and the mechanism. (5) Land production function has a partial mediating effect on the impact of the LCP on farmland “stickiness”. Given these results, we must begin to consolidate, expand and make good use of the results of the LCP, support the connection between smallholders and modern agriculture, and enhance the land production function in order to stabilize agricultural production and realize agricultural modernization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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19 pages, 1195 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Difference in Changes to Farmers’ Livelihood Capital under Different Land Transfer Modes—A Case Study of Manas County, Xinjiang, China

by Difan Liu, Yuejian Wang, Yuejiao Chen, Guang Yang, Hailiang Xu and Yuxiang Ma

Land 2022, 11(8), 1369; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11081369 - 22 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1647

Abstract

Farmers’ livelihoods alter as a direct result of land transfer. This study examined the impacts of land transfer on several indicators of farmers’ livelihood capital, as well as variations in the effects of different land transfer methods on farmers’ capital, in an effort [...] Read more.

Farmers’ livelihoods alter as a direct result of land transfer. This study examined the impacts of land transfer on several indicators of farmers’ livelihood capital, as well as variations in the effects of different land transfer methods on farmers’ capital, in an effort more effectively to enhance farmers’ livelihoods. To compare the changes in farmers’ livelihood capital under four different modes—the farmers’ spontaneous model, centralized and continuous, joint-stock cooperative, and leaseback and re-contracting—this study calculated farmers’ livelihood capital index based on 600 questionnaires in accordance with the sustainable livelihood capital framework. The study’s findings indicate the following outcomes: (1) Farmers’ livelihood capital is significantly impacted favorably by land transfers. (2) Different types of farmers experienced different changes in their livelihood capital after land transfer: purely agricultural farmers’ livelihood capital value increased by 0.138, primarily due to an increase in physical capital; agricultural part-time farmers’ livelihood capital value increased by 0.105; non-agricultural part-time farmers’ livelihood capital value increased by 0.081; and non-agricultural farmers’ livelihood capital value increased by 0.081. (3) The most efficient strategy to increase livelihood capital was to use the leaseback and recontracting model with “village collective + planting leadership company” as the primary business organization. The results provide practical guidance for land transfer in Manas County, and valuable suggestions for improving farmers’ livelihoods in arid areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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24 pages, 6683 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Discerning Spatiotemporal Patterns and Policy Drivers of Rural Settlement Changes from 1962 to 2020

by Congjie Cao and Wei Song

Land 2022, 11(8), 1317; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11081317 - 15 Aug 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2230

Abstract

Despite two centuries of urbanisation worldwide, 45% of the world’s people still live in rural areas. Driven by urban development, the form and structure of rural settlements have undergone drastic changes. Reasonable planning according to the scale of the land and spatial layout [...] Read more.

Despite two centuries of urbanisation worldwide, 45% of the world’s people still live in rural areas. Driven by urban development, the form and structure of rural settlements have undergone drastic changes. Reasonable planning according to the scale of the land and spatial layout of rural settlements is particularly important for the development of rural areas. The continuous development of the economy means that the housing needs of farmers and the macro policy background will inevitably change. We create a relationship curve for the “policy-scale of rural settlements” in different periods according to the laws of Maslow’s psychological demand theory and game theory and conduct an empirical study on Dingzhou City, China. The limited availability of remote sensing data means it is difficult to map the evolution patterns of rural settlements on medium and long time scales, and therefore, this paper explores and decrypts military satellite images, reveals the spatial evolution characteristics of rural settlements in Dingzhou, China from 1962 to 2020, and discusses the impact of policy factors on changes to rural settlements in different periods. The study found that from 1962 to 2020, the total area of rural settlements in Dingzhou showed a trend of continual increase, with a total increase of 8354.97 ha (73%). The average annual growth rates in 1962–1972, 1972–1990, 1990–2000, 2000–2010, and 2010–2020 were 0.29%, 1.17%, 1.81%, 1.26%, and 0.05%, respectively. The growth rate of rural settlements was relatively slow from 1962 to 1972. The policy was mainly because rural homesteads (land for building rural residences) were transformed from private ownership to “one homestead, two systems”, and the expansion of rural settlements was inhibited. From 1972 to 1990, with the deepening of reform and opening up, there was a boom in building houses in rural areas, and the growth rate of rural settlements increased. From 1990 to 2000, although the state strengthened the management of rural settlement use, there was still an increasing trend in the area of rural settlements; from 2000 to 2020 the implementation of policies such as “one house for one household" and “connecting increase and decrease" meant that the growth rate of rural settlements slowed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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25 pages, 6867 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Framework of Green Transition of Cultivated Land-Use for the Coordination among the Water-Land-Food-Carbon Nexus in China

by Shandong Niu, Xiao Lyu and Guozheng Gu

Land 2022, 11(6), 933; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11060933 - 17 Jun 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2795

Abstract

As a fundamental solution to the ecological problems of resources and environment, the Green Transition of Cultivated Land-use (GTCL) has become an inherent requirement for promoting ecological progress and implementing the food security strategy in the new era. This paper proposed a theoretical [...] Read more.

As a fundamental solution to the ecological problems of resources and environment, the Green Transition of Cultivated Land-use (GTCL) has become an inherent requirement for promoting ecological progress and implementing the food security strategy in the new era. This paper proposed a theoretical framework of GTCL and constructed a GTCL development index system based on four aspects: water, land, food and carbon; then, by applying a comprehensive evaluation model, a coupling coordination model and exploratory spatial data analysis, the development level of GTCL in China’s 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2020 was evaluated and the spatial and temporal rates of change of “water, land, food and carbon” (WLFC) and their coupling coordination were finally analyzed to reveal the “water, land, food and carbon” effect of GTCL. Results showed that the systemic changes of WLFC and its coupling coordination degree of GTCL presented a spatial and temporal coincidence with a high degree of consistency; from 2000 to 2020, the overall GTCL rate in all Chinese provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions showed a “W”-shaped fluctuation uptrend. In the past five years, the development level of GTCL was higher in Northeast China, followed by Central China and North China, while South China was at a low level. In addition, WLFC showed a more obvious “W”-shaped fluctuation, with higher coupling coordination in Northeast China in good coordination and lower coordination in East China and Southwest China. Therefore, according to the results of the study, areas were divided into: benefit leading area, quality improvement area, connotation tapping potential area, ductile development area and ecological reserve area for the regulation of GTCL in all Chinese provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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12 pages, 13699 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation for Appropriate Tillage of Sandy Land in Arid Sandy Area Based on Limitation Factor Exclusion Method

by Yan Xu, Zhaoyang Cai, Kaige Wang, Yuwei Zhang and Fengrong Zhang

Land 2022, 11(6), 807; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11060807 - 30 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1748

Abstract

Investigating and evaluating the quantity and spatial distribution of arable sandy land in arid and semiarid sandy areas is of great significance for the sustainable development and utilization of sandy land resources and the maintenance of the stability of the structure and function [...] Read more.

Investigating and evaluating the quantity and spatial distribution of arable sandy land in arid and semiarid sandy areas is of great significance for the sustainable development and utilization of sandy land resources and the maintenance of the stability of the structure and function of regional ecosystems. Based on the characteristics of sandy soil, being without structure and susceptible to wind erosion, this study used the limiting factor exclusion method to investigate and evaluate arable sandy land in arid and semiarid areas. All sandy soils were taken as the evaluation objects of arable sandy land (including visible sandy land and invisible sandy land). On the basis of following the principle of ecological protection, the evaluation indicators and limiting factor exclusion evaluation methods of arable sandy land were determined. The results of Hangjin Banner are as follows: the total area of the visible sandy land and the recessive sandy land was 1.2 × 106 hm²; the visible sandy land accounted for 42.6%, and the invisible sandy land accounted for 57.5%. However, only 7.7% of the sandy land was suitable for farming, which is the current cultivated land of bare sand and sandy soil, extremely-low-coverage grassland, inland tidal flats, and other saline-alkali land. Even if these arable sandy lands are to be used sustainably after reclamation, reasonable ecological protection, irrigation engineering measures, and field protective farming measures must be taken. It is hoped that this study can provide a valuable reference for the sustainable development and utilization of arable sandy land and desertification control in arid and semiarid areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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26 pages, 8204 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Hollow Village Governance Based on Action Network: Mode, Mechanism and Countermeasures—Comparison of Different Patterns in Plain Agricultural Areas of China

by Yanbo Qu, Weiying Zhao, Lijun Zhao, Yanfeng Zheng, Zhiwei Xu and Huailong Jiang

Land 2022, 11(6), 792; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11060792 - 27 May 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2607

Abstract

With the large-scale development of urbanization in the world, phenomena such as the unbalanced allocation of various elements of the rural regional system, as well as the decline of the economic and social structure and functions in the process of urban and rural [...] Read more.

With the large-scale development of urbanization in the world, phenomena such as the unbalanced allocation of various elements of the rural regional system, as well as the decline of the economic and social structure and functions in the process of urban and rural economic and social transformation and development in China, have endangered the healthy development of rural areas. The “hollowing” of rural areas is becoming more and more intense, and the governance of hollow villages has become a key link to stimulating the vitality of rural development and realizing the coordinated development of urban and rural areas. Taking a typical hollow village in Fangsi Town, Yucheng City, Shandong Province, China as an example, through the recognition method of hollow villages mode, the study adopted the in-depth interviews and questionnaires to obtain governance of hollow villages. Moreover, this study uses the actor–network theory to discuss the governance model mechanism and policy response of hollow villages, extract the applicable conditions of different hollow village governance modes, and provide the promotion of the hollow village governance mechanism. Our findings show that: (1) the governance modes of hollow villages are diverse. Under certain geographical conditions, the governance of hollow villages shows the relocation and merger–urban–rural integration mode, village integration-scale operation mode, village intensive-idle land revitalization mode, and original site optimization–sightseeing tourism development mode, along with other types. In the process of promotion and use, appropriate adjustments should be made in combination with differences and changes in system conditions, and the accurate governance of villages should be carried out. (2) The governance process of hollow villages is dynamic. The governance of hollow villages represents a heterogeneous network of actors led by key actors, which mainly realizes changes in the rural material space. With the change of development goals of the hollow village, the network of actors has been readjusted around the new OPP, and the role of the actors has changed, correspondingly showing a transition from the governance of the hollow village to the optimized development, thus further realizing the transformation of the hollow village. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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14 pages, 2918 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Evolution of Crop Planting Structure in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China: A Case Study in Hailun County

by Quanfeng Li, Wei Liu, Guoming Du, Bonoua Faye, Huanyuan Wang, Yunkai Li, Lu Wang and Shijin Qu

Land 2022, 11(6), 785; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11060785 - 26 May 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2128

Abstract

Detailed characteristics of crop planting structure (CPS) evolution can inform the optimization of the crop yield proportion in the black soil region of Northeast China (BSRNC). Choosing Hailun County as an example, this study sought to analyze the geographic characteristics of CPS evolution [...] Read more.

Detailed characteristics of crop planting structure (CPS) evolution can inform the optimization of the crop yield proportion in the black soil region of Northeast China (BSRNC). Choosing Hailun County as an example, this study sought to analyze the geographic characteristics of CPS evolution from 2000 to 2020. Our analysis produced new spatiotemporal information based on the remote-sensing interpretation data, namely, Landsat4-5 TM, Landsat7 ETM+, and Landsat8 OLI images. The study characterized the temporal and spatial dynamics of CPS. Our results showed the following: (1) Soybean and maize were the main crops, with a total land area of 70%; they alternated as the most dominant crop. (2) The distribution breadth and aggregation intensity of soybean and maize were spatially complementary; rice had the smallest distribution range but strong water aggregation. (3) The evolution pattern of CPS was the interconversion between a single type of soybean and maize. Our results indicate that the future CPS adjustment of BSRNC needs to consider the county-level optimization of crop area proportion and crop spatial distribution. This context has excellent implications in geographically informing policymaking to adjust county-level CPS of BSRNC, thus safeguarding food security. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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17 pages, 9925 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soybean Production and Spatial Agglomeration in China from 1949 to 2019

by Wenguang Chen, Bangbang Zhang, Xiangbin Kong, Liangyou Wen, Yubo Liao and Lingxin Kong

Land 2022, 11(5), 734; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11050734 - 13 May 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4634

Abstract

By mastering the spatial-temporal evolution of patterns of soybean production, a reference for optimizing a soybean production layout could be provided, ensuring food security. The variation coefficient method, and the comparative advantage and spatial autocorrelation models were used to analyze the spatial divergence [...] Read more.

By mastering the spatial-temporal evolution of patterns of soybean production, a reference for optimizing a soybean production layout could be provided, ensuring food security. The variation coefficient method, and the comparative advantage and spatial autocorrelation models were used to analyze the spatial divergence regularities of soybean production, sown area and yield, spatial-temporal changes in the comparative advantages of soybean planting efficiency and soybean planting scale, and the spatial agglomeration characteristics in China from 1949 to 2019. The results indicate that (1) from 1949 to 2019, soybean production and yield changes in China remained constant with a fluctuating upwards trend, and soybean sown areas hardly changed, yet experienced a sharp fluctuation. (2) The Northeast China Plain (NECP) was the main soybean-producing area, and its main position was strengthened. In contrast, the main soybean production position of the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain (HHHP) has declined. The Northern arid and semiarid region (NASR), the Sichuan Basin and surrounding areas (SBSR), the Middle-Lower Yangtze Plain (MLYP), and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau (YGP) became new soybean production growth poles. (3) The spatial distribution of soybean planting efficiency-related comparative advantages in China extended from northern China to the whole country, and the soybean planting scale-related comparative advantages proceeded through three stages: steady expansion, relative stability, contraction, and stabilization. (4) The spatial agglomeration of soybean planting efficiency-related comparative advantages has weakened, and the spatial agglomeration of the soybean planting scale-related comparative advantages exhibited a strengthening-weakening-strengthening-weakening process. Through our research analysis, we propose a policy resource to fully utilize the soybean planting efficiency-related comparative advantages in southern China (SC), promote grain-soybean rotation patterns in the HHHP and NECP, improve the soybean cultivation subsidy system, and build a soybean industry chain in the NECP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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19 pages, 521 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Analysis of Family Farm Efficiency and Its Influencing Factors: Evidence from Rural China

by Zhigang Chen, Qianyue Meng, Kaixin Yan and Rongwei Xu

Land 2022, 11(4), 487; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11040487 - 27 Mar 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4219

Abstract

Improving the efficiency of family farms is of great significance to rural revitalization and agricultural modernization in China. In order to find out the development status and shortcomings of family farms in China, and put forward targeted policy recommendations to improve the efficiency [...] Read more.

Improving the efficiency of family farms is of great significance to rural revitalization and agricultural modernization in China. In order to find out the development status and shortcomings of family farms in China, and put forward targeted policy recommendations to improve the efficiency of various family farms, this paper applies the DEA model to measure the efficiency of family farms from a micro perspective by using the field survey data of the national family farm demonstration bases of Wuhan and Langxi, China. In addition, the Tobit model is further applied to explore the factors that affect the efficiency of full sample family farms, as well as to compare and analyze the differences in the efficiency in different regions and of different operation types. The results show that the efficiency of family farms is low, the efficiency of family farms in Wuhan is higher than that in Langxi, and the efficiency of breeding family farms is higher than that of planting family farms and mixed family farms. Capital input, farmers’ education level, market channels, brand registration, fertilizer usage and financial credit have positively affected the efficiency of family farms, while government subsidies and natural disasters have had negative effects on it. Specially, the land operating area shows a U-shaped relationship with farm efficiency. The efficiency of planting family farms is positively affected by labor input, while that of breeding and mixed family farms rely more on capital input and financial credit instead. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Land Use in China)

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