Institutional Reform Of Collective Forest Property Rights And Forest Transfer In Jiangxi Province

The main objective of this study is to examine the ongoing property right reform of collective owned forests and to investigate the factors that determine forest land and stumpage transfer. By analyzing the collective forest property right reform, institutional arrangements on forest land and stumpage, and transfer status, we assessed the effects of the forest transfer on the achievement of the aims for forest property right reform. The benefits for farmers to manage the forest for timber production were compared with the income from transferring the forest land and stumpage. Through this comparison we determined whether the farmers received reasonable benefits when transferring their forests. Moreover, based on a examination of farmers'characters, the paper analyzed the factors which affect their behaviors. Those who were willing to introduce forest land consisted of companies that were engaged in managing forests, and those to introduce stumpage being timber businessmen. Formulation, representation and tendency of policy regulation were disscused by analyzing on current transfer, and then policy advices were put forward in the end.Normative and empirical study methods were jointly applied in the research. The normative study method was mainly used to analyze status and characteristics of forest land and stumpage, characters of the parties involved in the transfer, institutional arrangement of the transfer, etc. The empirical study methods consisted of Descriptive Statistics, Multinomial Linear Regression Model, Binary Logstic Regression Model, Faustmann Froest Price Formula, Forest Sale Price Method etc. More specifically, a Binary Logstic Regression Model was used to analyze factor affecting whether farmers transferred forestland and stumpage or not, and a Multinomial Linear Regression Model was applied to analyze factors affecting the quantities of forest land and stumpage transferred by farmers. Based on Faustmann Froest Price Formula, a comparative analysis model was set up to compare benefits from transferring forest land and stumpage and keeping them for producing timber. Another model was used to compare theoretic and actual forest management costs. The Forest Sale Price Method was applied to calculate theoretic benefit from transferring stumpage. Data for the study were collected by field survey and collection of second-hand material.The main conclusions of the study include: 1) the transfer of collective forest land and stumpage will determine to what extent the aims of the current institutional reform will be achieved; 2) at present the transfer is highly affected by the transfer institution, while the requirement of transaction in the market is not suited to farmers; 3) farmers earn money from the transfer, while they do not benefit reasonably from the transfer; 4) farmers'economic activities are not completely rational, and their economic behaviors are affected by cognitive degree on the institution, non-agricultural production activities, investment in forestry, and family status; 5) there are large variations among those who take over different forest lands and stumpages, however they all try to maximize their owns profits; and 6) policy regulation plays negative influence on the development of transaction market.Five concrete suggestions are put forward in the end. Firstly, marketing mechanism of transfer is to be perfected,and multiple transferring models are to be allowed. Secondly, administration of forest management, including the distribution of logging quotas, should be improved. Thirdly, forestry administration agencies should reduce their role as brokers and strengthen their administrative function. Fourthly, formulation of cooperation organization for farmer is to be promoted, which will do benefit to forest resource accumulation, and make farmers have more options. And finally, agency service organs should be developed, and relevant institution should be set up to insure service quality.