Arable Land Scarcity in China – the Role of the Land Rental Market

Summary

Small family farms dominate the agricultural sector in most developing countries and therefore play a significant role in global farming systems. These farms often face restrictions on the amount of arable land available, which is also the case in China. Additionally, traditional land transfer practices based on familial and geographic ties can hinder efficient family farms from acquiring more land. Small farms might resort to intensive farming methods due to limited land availability, potentially causing environmental problems. The goal of this research is to understand and improve the rural land market and promote sustainable farming in China. This will be achieved by examining the factors driving the conversion of rural land to urban use, understanding the functioning and dynamics of the land rental market, and assessing its environmental impacts.