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Does the transfer of farmland use rights increase farmers’ long‐term intention to work in cities?

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  • Zhengxue Huang
  • Jingkui Zhou
  • Xiong Huang

Abstract

This study investigates how the transfer of rural land contract management rights in China has influenced the choice of rural workers to work in cities in the long run. Using data from the Rural Household Survey and Migrant Household Survey from the China Household Income Project in 2007, 2008 and 2013, we find that rural land transfers and the subsequent human capital effect are found to play important roles in farmers’ decision to give up agricultural work and relocate to work in urban areas. Our findings indicate that the Chinese government should accelerate the implementation of policies that promote the separation of ownership rights, contracting rights and management rights of contracted land and continuously improve the rural land property rights system.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhengxue Huang & Jingkui Zhou & Xiong Huang, 2022. "Does the transfer of farmland use rights increase farmers’ long‐term intention to work in cities?," Economics of Transition and Institutional Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(2), pages 373-392, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:ectrin:v:30:y:2022:i:2:p:373-392
    DOI: 10.1111/ecot.12298
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