Solutions to the Tradeoff between Rural Household Income and Rangeland Conservation in the Agro-Pastoral Region of China

Abstract

This paper focuses on the possible solutions to the tradeoff between rural household income and rangeland conservation in an agro-pastoral area of Inner Mongolia, China. A linear programming bio-economic model was applied to simulate rural households' decisions concerning on-farm and off-farm activities and to investigate the impact of technical introduction and improving access to off-farm employment on the alleviation of rangeland degradation and household income. Simulation results indicate that introducing sedentary beef cattle livestock might generate a big increase of household income under keeping grazing pressure at a reasonable level, and that credit provision is essential for poor farmers to introduce such technologies. The results also indicate that if no restrictions are placed on farm households' grazing or reclamation activities, the act of increasing off-farm employment opportunities alone does not alleviate rangeland degradation, although it does lead to increased rural household income. Land use regulations are needed to conserve the local rangeland environment. Under land use regulations, increased off-farm employment opportunities may increase household income. © 2005, JAPAN SECTION OF THE REGIONAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL. All rights reserved.