China’s promise to allow 600 million farmers to trade land could enable vast numbers to find a better life, but Lu Jinliang’s experience shows the challenges of implementing reform, including entrenched local government interests.
Two years ago, he rented out a small patch of fallow land to a neighbour in Gangzhong village to raise pigs, with the 480 yuan (HK$607) annual income supplementing his salary from working in a sweater factory.
But local authorities invalidated the arrangement for Lu and 25 other families in July, saying pig sties were not allowed on the land even though it was earmarked for “agriculture”.
This revolutionary change will undermine local governments’ monopoly over land markets and boost farmers’ income, providing them with the start-up capital to settle in the city
They demolished six pig pens and accused the man who rented the terrain of “illegal use of farmland” – which carries a potential jail term.
In a groundbreaking reform pledge just announced by China’s ruling Communist Party, farmers are to be granted legal basis to transfer and rent land, which is ultimately owned by the state.
Rural residents will be able to buy and sell so-called “land use rights”, giving farmers the same rights as urban dwellers.
“Efforts must be made to allow farmers to participate in China’s modernisation,” the ruling Communist Party said in a document issued on November 15, after the third plenum meeting.