Alleviating multi-dimensional poverty through land transfer: Evidence from poverty-stricken villages in China

Abstract

This study constructs a Ramsey–Cass–Koopmans growth model of the agricultural sector, which includes land transfer characteristics, to investigate the theoretical basis of the land transfer impact on multi-dimensional poverty, under a steady equilibrium. Using 2010, 2012, and 2014 panel data from the Mutual Aid Fund for Poverty-Stricken Villages in China, we obtained results indicating the impact of land transfer on multi-dimensional poverty, based on the generalized propensity score method. The research results are as follows: (1) The intensity of rural households' land transfer in poverty-stricken villages remains low, at only 14.54%; however, it demonstrates an increasing trend. (2) When the intensity of land transfer is continuously enhanced, the multi-dimensional poverty of rural households in poverty-stricken villages decreases. (3) Rural households' land transfer in poverty-stricken villages can reduce multi-dimensional poverty by improving their savings behavior. “Precautionary savings motivation” is an important land transfer mechanism affecting rural households' multi-dimensional poverty in poverty-stricken villages.