What to Do About Abandoned Farmland? Multiple Measures to Tackle the Problem of Abandonment

In recent years, as urbanization has accelerated, more and more young and middle-aged people have flocked to cities for work, leaving the elderly, women and children behind in rural areas, which has caused a shortage of agricultural labor in some places. At the same time, affected by multiple factors such as large fluctuations in agricultural product market prices, frequent abnormal weather disasters and rising prices of agricultural inputs, the output efficiency of land is relatively low and unstable, leading to the abandonment of some farmers' land. In this regard, the author believes it is necessary to adopt multiple measures to stimulate the public's enthusiasm for farming and promote the healthy and sustainable development of modern agriculture.

First, strengthen infrastructure construction and build a solid foundation for harvests. At present, the supporting infrastructure for some land is still poor. Investment should be increased and basic farmland construction carried out well. Through measures such as farmland water conservancy construction, transformation of low- and medium-yield fields and field road construction, the standard of high-standard farmland that ensures harvests despite drought or excessive rain should be achieved, enhancing the ability to withstand natural disasters.

Second, accelerate land transfer and develop large-scale operations. It is necessary to actively promote the transformation of agricultural operation methods, guide the standardized and orderly transfer of land management rights, develop new types of operating entities such as family farms and cooperatives, cultivate professional farmers, strengthen the construction of socialized service organizations, improve the level of intensive agricultural operation, standardized production and socialized services, and promote the transformation and upgrading of agriculture.

Third, solve the sales problem and increase farmers' incomes. Promote the certification of "three products and one standard," plant strictly according to certification standards and improve product quality; establish supporting deep-processing enterprises and extend the industrial chain; increase publicity and promotion, shape regional specialty product brands and raise market share; guide agriculture-related enterprises to vigorously develop "order agriculture," establish a reasonable interest linkage mechanism with farmers, combine traditional sales with online sales, and open up sales channels through multiple channels.