Interpretive Structural Analysis of Interrelationships among the Elements of Characteristic Agriculture Development in Chinese Rural Poverty Alleviation

Yi Cai,Chunping Xia

doi:10.3390/su10030786

Abstract

Eradicating poverty is a strategic priority in the pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals. This study intends to identify and quantify the elements affecting the Characteristic Agriculture Development (CAD) project implemented in area of Chinese poverty and reveals the interrelationships between those elements. First-hand data for the structural modeling were collected through semi-structured interviews with a group of selected experts. As a result, this study has identified seventeen representative elements, and the interrelationships between them have been examined based on the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) method. Furthermore, these elements were further categorized into four categories depending on their driving power and dependence power by using the cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis. The combination result of the elements identification, ISM modeling and MICMAC analysis provide a conceptual framework for designing, implementing, and managing CAD projects conducted in rural China. Finally, we suggest that an appropriate approach should be applied to empower the poor, promote target group participation, optimize the regional agriculture structure, and increase the agro value chain competiveness in CAD project implementation.

Highlights

The world we live in today is marked by high technology and abundant commercial goods
After identifying a list of key Characteristic Agriculture Development (CAD) project elements, we further developed linkages among various elements by using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) method and the cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis
The ISM method is applied to establish a hierarchal structure between the 17 representative elements

Summary

Introduction

The world we live in today is marked by high technology and abundant commercial goods. It is marked by severe poverty and ever greater inequality [1]. Ever since the reform and opening-up in the late 1980s, China has experienced rapid economic growth accompanied by dramatic reduction in absolute rural poverty [2,3]. China made significant contributions to the Millennium Development Goals achievement on halving the extremely poor population. China’s commitment to lifting the entire poor population in rural areas out of poverty by 2020 is a crucial step in implementing the UN 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development Goals

Methods

Results

Conclusion