| In the pasturing areas of Northern China, grassland based animal production is the oldest and basic industry of the human being and a major part of agriculture. Since 1980s, animal husbandry has achieved remarkable progress in China and the growth rate of animal production has been much faster in farming areas. In contrary, the development of animal husbandry in pasturing areas has encountered difficulties. This situation gives us a new top to analyze. Because total area of pasturing land accounts for more than 40% of national territory, sustainable development of animal husbandry in these areas not only affect structural adjustment of agriculture, but also affect the prosperity and stability of the minority and border areas as well as the national ecological security.Because of rapid population growth which exceeds the bearing capacity of the grassland and depredating production methods, the grassland in Inner Mongolia has seriously degraded in recent years. The production capacity has decreased, the ecological system been damaged which leads to more fragileness of the northern eco-barrier and the income of the pastoral households grow slowly. The development of animal husbandry faces great challenge. This thesis analyzes the sustainable development of pasturing areas, taking example of Xiwuzhumuqin where nine type of grasslands exist in this area. Based on the theories of grassland animal husbandry, economics of ecology and economics of environment and resources, I explore the constraints to achieve sustainable development of the ecosystem and animal production in this region using qualitative and quantitative methods. The focus is on institutional arrangement, production structure and methods. Based on above analysis and real situation, policy suggestions such as adjusting animal structure and adopting modern technology and production methods, etc. are given for achieving more sustainable development of pasturing animal production in Xiwuzhumuqin. |
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