Continuous Decline in Direct Incomes for Farmers Threatens the Sustainability of the Grain for Green Project

Luqian Li, Xiaobo Hua, Guangshuai Zhao and Erqi Xu ()
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Luqian Li: Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
Xiaobo Hua: College of Humanities and Development Studies, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Guangshuai Zhao: Development Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing 100714, China
Erqi Xu: Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-13

Abstract: Understanding the impacts of ecological projects on household livelihoods is important in ensuring their sustainability. However, existing studies typically cover only a limited, discrete temporal point. Insufficient study duration makes it difficult to determine the full impact and dynamics of a project, affecting the veracity of the results. Representing one of the world’s largest investments in an ecosystem service programs, the Grain for Green Project (GGP) has an objective of increasing household incomes. Using data from 7112 questionnaires collected through 12 consecutive years (2007–2018) of field survey monitoring, this study examined the long-term impacts of the GGP on household livelihoods in the Beijing–Tianjin Sandstorm Source Control Project area through comparisons between participant households (PHs) and non-participant households (NPHs). The results show that GGP subsidies significantly increased household incomes only during the period 2007–2015, and their share of total household income decreased from 9.21% in 2007 to 1.62% in 2018. Subsidies for GGP cannot compensate farmers for losses due to the reduction in farmland. The above findings suggest that the effect of subsidies diminishes over time. Increased investment in jobs and skills training is needed to consolidate the GGP results. This provides new perspectives and empirical support for the study of international ecological compensation policies and sustainable development.

Keywords: ecological projects; participants; non-participants; household livelihoods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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