Factors influencing decision by family farmers to expand operation in hilly areas in Chongqing:An empirical study

ObjectiveThe influencing factors led to operation expansion desicion made by family farmers in hilly a-reas in Chongqing were analyzed in order to provide theoretical references for formulating family farm development poli-cies in hilly areas.MethodTwo element selection Logit model on operation expansion of family farmers was constructed based on 268 samples surveyed in Chongqing.The influencing factors led to operation expansion desicion made by family farmers were studied by quantitative analysis.ResultAmong the personal characteristics,education level had a signifi-cant positive impact on family farmers dicision to expand operation(P<0.05,the same below),but age had inhibitory ef-fects on operation expansion.Among the family characteristics,education level of children had extremely significant posi-tive effects on operation expansion(P<0.01,the same below),but degree of family financial difficulty and labor cost had extremely significant inhibitory effects and significant inhibitory effects respectively.Among the social environment,de-gree of agricultural service organization,policy subsidy,ecological environment protection and agricultural insurance con-sciousness had extremely significant positive impact on operation expansion.SuggestionFollowing suggestions are pro-posed in order to promote the sustainable development of family farmers:innovating vocational training model for family farmers,adopting the model of"one point and two lines,dividing the whole procedure into sections"to improve profes-sional literacy;changing the current pattern and structure,attaching great importance to ecological management,transform the production mode of family farms,construc-ting the system of production safety and credit for agricultural products to guide the quality development of family farm;establishing and improving the subsidy policies to reduce financing cost;raising awareness of agricultural insurance to reduce production risk;exploring the socialized service organization to guide the standadized operation of fmily farms.