Impacts of Eco-Poverty Alleviation Policies on Farmer Livelihood Changes and Response Mechanisms in a Karst Area of China from a Sustainable Perspective

Abstract

Eco-poverty alleviation policies have significant impacts on the changes in farmer household livelihoods. This study developed a multi-dimensional index system, which applies the social cognitive theory and farmer household livelihood capital to analyze the effects of eco-poverty alleviation policies on farmer household livelihood change in a karst area in China. The multivariate logistic, entropy weight, and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution models were used to analyze the responses of 892 farmer households from eight villages in Guizhou Province, China. The results show that the Poverty Alleviation Resettlement Project (PARP) had the highest impact as it enables higher engagement of farmer households in non-agricultural activities, resulting in significant livelihood changes. Among the eco-poverty alleviation policies studied, changes in livelihoods of farmer households are highest from PARP, followed by the Ecological Forest Ranger Project (EFRP), Grain for Green Program (GGP), Forest Ecosystem Compensation Program (FECP), and Single Carbon Sink Program (SCSP). Specifically, GGP received the highest response from farmer households working out-of-province, whereas SCSP received the lowest. EFRP received the highest response from farmer households working in the village. Farmer households in different regions were found to respond differently to various eco-poverty alleviation policies, based on how specific policies can address their practical problems. It is also related to the delayed effects of these policies on their livelihoods. This study provides a theoretical basis for optimizing livelihood improvements for farmers at the regional level, which can aid in formulating strategies in the future to alleviate poverty and revitalize local rural communities.