Does the rural housing land system reform model meeting the needs of farmers improve the welfare of farmers?

Abstract

The rural land system reform (RLSR) is inseparable from the protection of farmers' rights and profits. The success or failure of the system reform determines the value embodiment of the farmers' subject position. Under the background of continuously promoting the RLSR in China, combining the farmers' demands and welfare change, this study reveals the practice and process of rural housing land system reform (RHLSR) and puts forward three theory hypotheses. Then, four kinds of RHLSR mode are designed based on the outer edge-kernel system theory and Maslow demand theory. Finally, using fuzzy mathematical evaluation and a structure equation model, this study depicts the implementation process and effect of 20 typical cases and puts forward corresponding policy enlightenment. Results show that (1) due to the influence of the system, the RHLSR mode is diversified; the RHLSR mode that conforms to farmers' needs is also conducive to improving farmers' welfare level. (2) The correlation between farmers' living status and welfare level is the highest in the RHLSR process, while the degree of social participation is the lowest. (3) The land investment mode (LIM) has the best effect on the improvement of farmers’ welfare (FW) level, followed by the monetary compensation mode (MCM), and the asset replacement mode (ARM). Meanwhile, the use of land to ensure the life of the aged mode (ULELAM) has the lowest effect. These findings indicate that the government should adhere to the concept of people first, combining the welfare needs of farmers step-by-step. Those needs should be prioritized and optimized appropriately, according to the time and household, so as to realize a better tilt of land policy dividend towards farmers.