Social Viability Roles of the Agricultural Sector in China

Tian Weiming (), Liu Xiumei and Kang Xia
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Tian Weiming: College of Economics and Management, China Agricultural University

The Electronic Journal of Agricultural and Development Economics, 2004, vol. 1, issue 1, 25-44

Abstract: This study assesses how the transfer of rural labor to non-farm sectors affects China’s national economy and the role the agricultural sector plays with respect to rural-urban migration. Econometric models using official Chinese statistics are used to: evaluate the marginal productivities of rural labor in agriculture versus non-agriculture; identify determinants of rural labor transfer; and assess the socioeconomic impacts of these transfers. It is concluded that though agricultural growth stems problems relating to over-urbanization, there are significant economic costs and undesirable social consequences associated with under-urbanization. Gains brought about by flexibility in the transfer of rural labor to non rural labor include higher GDP and reduced discrepancies in living standards for rural and urban populations.

Keywords: Agricultural Development; China; migration; rural labor (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J43 O15 Q10 R23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:fao:tejade:v:1:y:2004:i:1:p:25-44

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