China Enacts Law to Strengthen Farmers' Land Rights and Village Collectives
Source: The DairyNews
Beijing: In a significant move to bolster China's rural economy and ensure food security, the Chinese government passed a law on Friday aimed at enhancing farmers' land rights and supporting the development of village collectives, Reuters reported, citing state media.
Despite all farmland in China being state-owned, farmers hold decades-long land lease rights exercised on their behalf by collectives. These collectives have been criticized for not adequately representing farmers' interests. The newly enacted Rural Collective Economic Organisations Law, set to take effect on May 1, 2025, redefines the role of these rural collectives and grants farmers greater oversight.
According to Xinhua, the law seeks to safeguard the rights of rural collectives and their members, and promotes fiscal and taxation measures to bolster the rural collective economy. Under the new framework, farmers will have a more significant role in decision-making processes regarding the use and development of land.
Currently, villagers theoretically have the power to decide on selling or developing land. However, in practice, state officials often override farmers' wishes, aiming to attract investment and economic benefits. This has led to widespread discontent among farmers, who argue that the current system allows state officials to seize land with little or no compensation, a major cause of social unrest in the past.
The new law aims to address these issues by providing farmers with a stronger voice and more control over their land, thereby reducing the likelihood of land grabs and improving the overall economic stability of rural areas.
By reinforcing the rights of farmers and promoting the development of village collectives, China hopes to invigorate its rural economy, ensuring food security and sustainable development for the future.
According to Xinhua, the law seeks to safeguard the rights of rural collectives and their members, and promotes fiscal and taxation measures to bolster the rural collective economy. Under the new framework, farmers will have a more significant role in decision-making processes regarding the use and development of land.
Currently, villagers theoretically have the power to decide on selling or developing land. However, in practice, state officials often override farmers' wishes, aiming to attract investment and economic benefits. This has led to widespread discontent among farmers, who argue that the current system allows state officials to seize land with little or no compensation, a major cause of social unrest in the past.
The new law aims to address these issues by providing farmers with a stronger voice and more control over their land, thereby reducing the likelihood of land grabs and improving the overall economic stability of rural areas.
By reinforcing the rights of farmers and promoting the development of village collectives, China hopes to invigorate its rural economy, ensuring food security and sustainable development for the future.
