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Is Land Fragmentation Undermining Collective Action in Rural Areas? An Empirical Study Based on Irrigation Systems in China’s Frontier Areas

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  • Yiqing Su

    (Regional Social Governance Innovation Research Center, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
    School of Public Policy and Management, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China)

  • Yuan Xuan

    (School of Public Policy and Management, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China)

  • Liangzhen Zang

    (The Institute of Agricultural Economics and Development, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Xiaoyin Zhang

    (School of Public Policy and Management, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China)

Abstract

A comprehensive understanding of the impact of land fragmentation on collective action is essential for rural governance in developing countries. Prior publications have argued that land fragmentation impedes the sustainable development of agricultural economies and rural societies, while the connection between humans and nature has not been considered comprehensively. Therefore, the conclusion that the impact of land fragmentation on collective action is purely negative may be one-sided. To examine this conclusion, this paper re-evaluates the relationship between land fragmentation and rural collective action from a multidisciplinary perspective. Based on a rural field survey using stratified random sampling, Oprobit regression was employed to conduct an econometric analysis on data from 798 rural households across 14 cities in the border region of Guangxi, China. The following research findings were obtained: (1) When the human–nature connection is considered, the relationship between land fragmentation and collective action follows an inverted U-shaped curve. Specifically, moderate initial increases in land fragmentation can lead to improvements in collective action; however, when the degree of land fragmentation exceeds a certain threshold, further increases in land fragmentation will decrease the collective action capacity. (2) This nonlinear relationship between land fragmentation and collective action may be realized through three pathways: agricultural production, land use patterns, and the ecological environment. Under the context of collective action, this study shows that a moderate level of land fragmentation objectively exists in reality. This insight provides a new impetus for developing countries to shift policy perspectives to increase their land use efficiency. Additionally, this paper integrates relevant findings from both social sciences and natural sciences. Thereby, it not only expands the existing understanding of key factors influencing rural household collective action but also emphasizes the potential for cross-disciplinary integration between social sciences and natural sciences.

Suggested Citation

  • Yiqing Su & Yuan Xuan & Liangzhen Zang & Xiaoyin Zhang, 2024. "Is Land Fragmentation Undermining Collective Action in Rural Areas? An Empirical Study Based on Irrigation Systems in China’s Frontier Areas," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-24, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:7:p:1041-:d:1433369
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    References listed on IDEAS

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