Are different income sources fungible? The effects of agricultural subsidy and disaster relief on household consumption in China

Abstract

This paper uses panel data from a sample of farm households in the northeastern China to examine the non-fungibility of different income sources. The results show the private transfer income has a high and significant impact on household consumption while agricultural subsidy and disaster relief have insignificant impacts. Empirical findings prove that the Behavioral Life Cycle Hypothesis is more practical than the Life Cycle Hypothesis. Moreover, they provide important macro policy implications as for how to stimulate farm consumption and expand domestic demand and encourage economic growth.