The Impact of Transformation of Farmers’ Livelihood on the Increasing Labor Costs of Grain Plantation in China

Abstract

Analyzing the recessive impacts of farmers’ livelihood transformation on the surging labor cost in grain production is conducive to finding optimization paths for grain production. This study developed the Residual Livelihood Ratio (RLR) and the Livelihood Simpson Index (LSI) to measure the transformation of farmers' livelihood in China, and applied the multiple regression model to explore the influence of the transformation of farmers' livelihood on the labor cost of grain production. The results show that because of the soaring increment in labor cost, the net profit of rice, wheat, and maize production decreased largely in China. The LSI increased, while the RLR decreased, which indicated that farmers’ livelihoods transitioned towards a more unbalanced income–expenditure but more flexible employment. The Residual Livelihood Ratio; the mechanization input; the grain yield per unit area; the non-grain plantation degree; and the non-agricultural land use degree showed negative impacts on labor cost in grain production, whereas the Livelihood Simpson Index and Engel’s coefficient of farmers showed positive impacts on the labor cost. This paper proposes targeted policy implications for labor cost control of the grain production in China.

Response and Adaptation of Farmers’ Livelihood Transformation under the Background of Rural Transformation: Evidence from the Qinling Mountains, China

“…When households had surplus labor, they mainly invested in working. This result was similar to the research findings of Jiang [38], where labor had a significant impact on the livelihood transformation of farmers. Since the income generated by working was much higher than farming, farmers fit the working-oriented type of livelihood transformation.…”

“…In rural areas near cities, the livelihood mode of households shifted from agriculture to non-agriculture, and the transformation of livelihood methods had a significant impact on the labor cost of food production. At the same time, the diversification of livelihood activities was an important response strategy to overcome resource shortages [36][37][38]. In response to extreme weather related to climate change, farmers' livelihood activities had changed, and adaptation was the result of farmers' livelihood survival strategies [39].…”

Do Farm Subsidies Effectively Increase Grain Production? Evidence from Major Grain-Producing Regions of China

“…Agricultural subsidies can increase households’ income [ 15 , 50 ], as they can stimulate the expansion of acreage and promote grain production. Persistently, the current main force in China’s grain production is small households [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ]. Therefore, generating enthusiasm in rural households for grain production contributes significantly to producing grain and ensuring food security.…”

Spatiotemporal Variation and Influencing Factors of Grain Yield in Major Grain-Producing Counties: A Comparative Study of Two Provinces from China

“…Currently, China's self-sufficiency rate in food production has reached over 95%, making significant contributions to global food security [3,4]. However, with the rapid economic development and the acceleration of urbanization [5,6], there are growing tensions in the human-land relationship [7], increasing contradictions between agricultural development and the ecological environment [8], impediments to factor flows between urban and rural areas [9], and changes in livelihood capital for farmers [10], which pose significant threats to food production and food security. In addition, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic hindered food transportation and affected food security [11][12][13].…”