Can Land Transfer Promote Agricultural Green Transformation? The Empirical Evidence from China

Abstract

As an important means of farmland policy, whether land transfer can promote agricultural green transformation is worthy of further study; however, related research is relatively rare. Based on the inter-provincial panel data from 2005 to 2020, this paper examines the influence of land transfer on agricultural green transformation and its underlying mechanism by using a two-way fixed effect model and an intermediary effect model. This study reveals significant findings as follows: (1) Land transfer substantially promotes agricultural green transformation. (2) Energy consumption is a major contributor to the growth of agricultural carbon emissions; however, land transfer can mitigate this by reducing energy consumption. (3) Land transfer can promote agricultural green transformation by fostering agricultural technology progress. (4) Further analysis reveals that land transfer in economically developed areas and the southeastern side of the “Hu-Huanyong Line” significantly enhances agricultural green transformation. Based on these findings, this paper suggests promoting land transfer while considering regional differences. Additionally, attention should be directed towards reducing energy consumption and encouraging agricultural technology’s progress.

The Impact of Rural Industrial Integration on Agricultural Carbon Emissions Evidence from China Provinces Data

“…(1) Land transfer rate (ara): This variable is represented by the ratio of the total cultivated land area contracted by the household to the total area of cultivated land contracted by the household for operation. Land transfer promotes the diversification of local land use, affecting both the local economy and ecology [42,43]. (2) Degree of rural mechanization (mer): This variable is expressed as the ratio of the total power of rural machinery to the cultivated land area.…”