International Journal of Sociology of Agriculture and Food
Published by Michigan State University
Official publication of the Research Committee on Sociology of Agriculture and Food (RC-40)
of the International Sociological Association (ISA)
Editors: Raymond Jussaume, Claire Marris and Katerina Psarikidou
Frequency: 3 issues per year
ISSN: 0798-1759
Volume 21 Issue 1 (2014)
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Peasant-managed Agricultural Growth in China: Mechanisms of Labour-driven Intensification 155-171
Authors: Jan Douwe van der Ploeg, Jingzhong Ye, Huifang Wu and Chunyu Wang
Abstract PDF
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This article discusses the different mechanisms that sustain labour-driven intensification in contemporary Chinese agriculture. They include: labour investments directed at improving resources; the intensification of cropping schemes; fine-tuning production processes, resulting in yield increases; embedded specialization; the reorganization of space; and on-farm processing, which gives more value-added per unit of end product. These mechanisms help to enlarge the autonomy of peasant families and their units of production. They simultaneously help to improve incomes. The article pays special attention to migrant labour and the way it helps to enlarge investments and spur the intensification of agricultural production.