Abstract:

Clarifying the characteristics of farmer differentiation is fundamental to understanding the basic national condition of "a large country with small farmers" and to promoting comprehensive rural revitalization. This paper constructs a systematic analytical framework for farmer differentiation and analyzes the characteristics of farmer differentiation using data from the 2024 China Rural Revitalization Survey (CRRS 2024). In terms of employment differentiation, among the individual agricultural labor force, approximately 36% are fully engaged in farming, 38% are engaged in non-agricultural employment, and 15% are part-time farmers. Regarding household employment patterns, pure farming households account for 20%, while part-time farming households account for nearly 60%. In terms of household differentiation, the ratio of off-farm households, smallholder households, and scale-operated households is approximately 30:62:8. Regarding income differentiation, nearly half of all farm households fall into the low- to middle-income category or below. The average income level of pure farming households is significantly lower than that of off-farm households, while the income level of part-time farming households varies according to their specific part-time employment patterns. In terms of residential differentiation, nearly one-quarter of farm households own housing beyond their own agricultural homestead, with 92% of these additional properties located within the same city or county. Distinct characteristics of farmer differentiation exist across regions, depending on their agricultural territorial features and levels of economic development. In the future, it is essential to base policies on the fundamental national condition of "a large country with small farmers," adapt to the characteristics and trends of farmer differentiation, and comprehensively promote farmer development and enhance their well-being.

Key words: farmer differentiation, rural revitalization, large country with small farmers, development orientation