Greater freedom for China’s farmers
China is to liberalise land laws in an attempt to increase efficiency in the agricultural sector. Farmers are to have greater freedom in trading land to encourage economies of scale in agricultural production - still dominated by family farming. The proposed reforms may take a while to effect but could have a substantial impact on livestock production over time.
The attempt to reform the Household Responsibility System (HRS) is aimed at increasing productivity and strengthening the competitiveness of the mainland's vast agricultural sector against the influx of cheaper foreign imports following Beijing's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
A key proposal will grant contracts to farmers giving them the right to use farmland, since no individual is allowed to own land according to China's constitution.
