Research on Poverty Reduction Performances in Rural China -- Based on an Empirical Analysis of Different Project Models

Abstract

Rural poverty reduction is highly concerned with social equality and the building of a harmonized society. Great achievements have been made for poverty reduction in rural China in the last decade. Anti-poverty investment under different project models, however, seems to have different results. By adopting quantitative approaches, and based on the field survey sample data of counties, villages and households from Gansu, Guangxi and Hubei provinces, this paper conducts an empirical analysis of the performances of anti-poverty investment of the major project models in rural China, i.e. the whole village approach, sister-region support, foreign capital investment, and relocation of farmers. Results indicate that (1) anti-poverty investment has significant influences on farmers' income, with great differences under different project models; and (2) the efficiency of poverty reduction investment and the influencing factors are different under different project models. Policy implications are proposed accordingly based on these findings.