Study On Policy Optimization For Revitalizing And Utilizing Rural Homesteads

The main direction for tapping into the potential of land resources is to make full use of the rural homesteads.In recent years,the Chinese government has actively promoted the revitalization and utilization of the rural homesteads,and has issued a series of policy measures to support this work.But overall,there are prominent issues such as slow progress,small scale,blind following the trends,and high risks.At the same time,the revitalization and utilization of the rural homesteads are still facing significant institutional constraints.Therefore,there is an urgent need to establish a scientific and systematic policy system for revitalizing and utilizing rural homesteads.To this end,this study is based on modern property rights theory and Marxist land property rights to scientifically define the connotation of revitalizing and utilizing rural homesteads,and to construct a theoretical analysis framework.The study uses institutional analysis and policy text analysis methods,by NVivo12 to analyze the evolution and logic of the direction of policies for revitalizing and utilizing rural homesteads.The study also adopts case study methods,propensity score matching method(PSM),instrumental variable method,etc.,and based on the research data of "Current Status of Rural Homesteads and Rural Houses Utilization in China",which including 25402 administrative village questionnaire data and 1366 household survey data,and 24 typical cases of revitalizing and utilization of rural homesteads,from the perspective of revitalizing utilization practices,macro policy levels,and micro farmers,to analyze the influencing factors of revitalizing utilization under current policies,and to identify policy needs and key issues for activating utilization policies.Finally,the study proposes policy optimization ideas.The main conclusions of this study are as follows:Firstly,the revitalization and utilization of homesteads is a complex of series property rights transactions,which can be divided into two steps: "revitalization" and "utilization".Revitalization refers to the process of making rural homesteads available for use,as productive factors,while utilization refers to using revitalized rural homesteads for production,living,business,service,etc.The practice of revitalization and utilization of rural homesteads in China follows the logical framework of Marxist land property theory,and conforms to the process of "resource-asset-capital" revitalization.Improving the property rights attributes,value attributes,and functional attributes of rural homesteads are the important contents of China’s distinctive land system.Secondly,the evolution of China’s policy on revitalization and utilization of rural homesteads is centered around resolving the contradiction between people and land,and promoting the functions of rural homesteads.It is driven by the practical needs to protect land resources,improve utilization efficiency,safeguard farmers’ rights and interests,and the important forces of urban-rural relations,development goals,and main demands at different stages.Governments at all levels and relevant departments have actively established policies and innovated the "Separation of Three Rights" implementation form,formed a goal-oriented model that aims to protect the basic rights and interests of farmers and pursue revitalization and utilization.However,it should be noted that the current policies have insufficient consideration in terms of the scope of revitalization and utilization,support policies,and risk prevention and control,and these areas will require focused attention in the future.Thirdly,the practice of the revitalization and utilization of the rural homesteads can be divided into four types: the government-led out-of-town utilization model,the government-led on-site utilization model,the village collective-led transformation and utilization model,and the farmer-led autonomous utilization model.There are significant differences in the applicability conditions,direct effects,and risk points of these models.The government-led on-site utilization models and the village collective-led transformation and utilization models,which conform to the direction of the reform of the rural homestead property rights system and the need for rural revitalization and development,will maintain a growth trend.Practical analysis suggests that future policies need to strengthen property rights systems,financial support and regulatory policies,and training mechanisms.Fourthly,the implementation of policies for the revitalization and utilization of rural homesteads is influenced by various factors such as policy systems and participating entities,resulting in significant regional differences.Research has found that whether or not there is a reform of the rural homestead system is a critical variable affecting revitalization and utilization.The reform has promoted revitalization and utilization by setting targets,transforming the system of land use rights transfer,and strengthening village management.The average value of the revitalization and utilization index in pilot areas of reform is 12.2 higher than that in non-pilot areas.The level of policy awareness of farmers and whether they have rented out or transferred their land have a significant positive impact on their willingness to revitalize and utilize their homesteads,while household income and dependence on farming have a significant negative impact.Farmers who have idle or inefficient used homesteads are relatively more willing to revitalize and utilize them.Fifthly,the revitalization and utilization of rural homesteads should be carried out according to local conditions,timing,and needs,and promoted in an integrated,systematic,and collaborative manner.It is necessary to start with the property rights system,market policies,income distribution mechanisms,risk prevention and control mechanisms,and service support policies,and establish a policy system for the revitalization and utilization of rural homesteads.We should adhere to classification,approach and gradually advance it,exploring the revitalization and utilization of homesteads first in villages with high rates of idle or low-efficiency homesteads and better management foundations.We should improve the mechanism for the full participation of farmers in the revitalization and utilization of rural homesteads,and improve the mechanism for ensuring farmers’ income.We will establish a national rural homestead revitalization and utilization information platform,trading system,regulatory mechanism,and service network,forming foundation support.