Econ Papers Daily / 期刊论文
小农户向大规模农场转型的福利效应：一个理论框架
Welfare Effects of Scale Transition From Smallholders to Large Farms: A Theoretical Framework
摘要
This study develops a theoretical framework to examine the welfare effects of scale transition from smallholders to large farms. Taking hog farming in China as an example, this study focuses on the coexistence equilibrium with both smallholders and large farms and assesses the distributional effects on rural households (independent smallholders, employed smallholders, and quitters), urban consumers, and aggregate social welfare. The simulation findings reveal that the transition to large farms results in long‐term welfare losses for employed smallholsers, as well as rural households as a whole. This outcome is attributed to a reversed income effect, whereby the initial employment gains gradually diminish as the scale of transition progresses. Conversely, urban consumers gain substantial welfare improvements owing to lower retail pork prices, which are driven by the credit advantages and technological innovations of large farms. Additionally, aggregate social welfare improves as consumer surplus outpaces smallholder welfare losses. This research unpacks the intermediary step in the transition from smallholders to large farms and provides theoretical insights for agricultural transitions in developing economies.
中文摘要
本研究构建了一个理论框架，用以考察从小农户向大规模农场转型的福利效应。以中国生猪养殖为例，本文聚焦于小农户与大规模农场共存均衡状态，评估其对农村家庭（独立小农户、受雇小农户及退出农户）、城市消费者以及社会总福利的分配效应。模拟结果表明，向大规模农场的转型会导致受雇小农户及农村家庭整体的长期福利损失。这一结果源于反向收入效应——随着转型规模推进，初始就业收益逐渐递减。相反，由于大规模农场的信贷优势和技术创新降低了猪肉零售价格，城市消费者获得了显著的福利改善。此外，由于消费者剩余的增长超过小农户的福利损失，社会总福利得以提升。本研究揭示了从小农户向大规模农场转型的中间环节，为发展中经济体的农业转型提供了理论洞见。