Evaluation of Self-Development Ability and Study of Its Obstacle Factors for State-Owned Forest Farms: Applying the SEM–PPM

State-owned forest farms (SOFFs) help maintain ecological security and hold an important strategic position in China’s development. In this study we used 1305 sample data from 16 provinces, a structural equation model (SEM), projection pursuit (PPM) to evaluate the self-development abilities of SOFFs, obstacle analyze factors hindering these various at different development levels, with subordination relationships. The results show that (1) SOFFs remain weak, there are many more provinces low than high levels; (2) relationship significantly affects ability, which is highest for municipal SOFFs; (3) social services, people’s livelihood security, management resources main constraints SOFF’s abilities, has greatest influence while services most those abilities.