The effect of land titling policy on farm size: evidence from China

This study utilizes regression discontinuity design to examine the impact of the land titling program on farm size in China between 2009 and 2016. Results indicate that the land titling policy effect upsizes farm by around 50% and increases the transaction of management rights in farmland by around 4% points in China for 2015 national survey. Using data from the 20th century, it shows private ownership historically had lowered farm size. Today, given ownership is stable, farmland management rights provide incentive structure for farmers to participate into farmland lease market and expand their farm size.