From survival goals to economic rationality: the determinants of farmer households' dual decision regarding land rental area

Introduction Large-scale land rentals are a fundamental way of realizing the moderate-scale operation and transformation modern agriculture. As suppliers main demanders in rental market, decision-making logic farmer households determines scale rentals. However, have been plagued by prominent issues households' insufficient participation fragmented transactions. It is importance urgent to promote large-scale market. Methods Based on sample 4,815 from China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) database, this study applied Bivariate Tobit (Bi-Tobit) model investigate correlation between decisions rented-in rented-out area, analyzed determinants inherent logics decision making. Heterogeneity analysis was made examine difference surplus indebted households. Results The results showed that there significantly negative household area area. value had positive effect Household social security but no significant For households, only affected their while for rather than became determinant Discussion Farmer comprised dual with correlation. Facing functions creating economic providing rural land, dominated rationality, whereas involves coexistence rationality survival rationality. With improvement income level, dominant transformed Policies should enhance system increase especially adequate lower level.