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An Analysis of Rural Household Livelihood Change and the Regional Effect in a Western Impoverished Mountainous Area of China

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  • Chuansheng Wang

    (Key Laboratory of Regional Sustainable Development Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China)

Abstract

Taking Longnan, in the western Qinling Mountains region of Gansu province, China, as our study area, and using the Sixth National Population Census alongside household survey data, we analyze changes in household livelihoods, and consequent regional effects, following the instigation of the “Grain for Green” program in 1999. Our results show rural livelihood changes with respect to natural assets (e.g., reduction of arable land, planting structure changes), human assets (e.g., labor quality improvement, fluidity of population), financial assets (e.g., income channels widening, income increasing), physical assets (e.g., optimized production tools), and social assets (e.g., information network development, increased outreach opportunities). We suggest that increased household livelihoods play an important role in improving land space utilization efficiency, resource conservation and use, and the ecological environment. However, owing to the natural environment, there are also some problems, such as “hollows” in rural production and living spaces, as well as local environmental degradation. To address these issues, regions such as the western, mountainous, impoverished area of our study should establish a policy of using ecosystems, as well as agriculture, for development in order to improve household livelihoods, build an efficient spatial structure, and providing support for the creation of a resource-saving societal system.

Suggested Citation

  • Chuansheng Wang, 2018. "An Analysis of Rural Household Livelihood Change and the Regional Effect in a Western Impoverished Mountainous Area of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:6:p:1738-:d:149005
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    Cited by:

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    2. Hexiong Zhang & Yun Qin & Jinlong Xu & Wenqin Ren, 2023. "Analysis of the Evolution Characteristics and Impact Factors of Green Production Efficiency of Grain in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-14, April.
    3. Alabi, Dorcas Lola & Famakinwa, Michael & Afoloami, Mercy Bolatito, 2022. "Nexus Of Non-Farm Enterprises And Rural Households’ Livelihood: Evidence From Nigeria," APSTRACT: Applied Studies in Agribusiness and Commerce, AGRIMBA, vol. 16(1), June.
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    5. Rong Ran & Lei Hua & Tingrou Li & Yejing Chen & Junfu Xiao, 2023. "Why Have China’s Poverty Eradication Policy Resulted in the Decline of Arable Land in Poverty-Stricken Areas?," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-18, September.
    6. Meishu Wang & Hui Gong, 2018. "Imbalanced Development and Economic Burden for Urban and Rural Wastewater Treatment in China—Discharge Limit Legislation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-12, July.
    7. Xuhuan Dai & Zhilong Wu & Yao Fan & Bo Li & Zihan Yang & Bo Nan & Xu Bi, 2019. "Characteristics and Determinants of Livelihood Diversification of Different Household Types in Far Northwestern China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-20, December.

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