Price Signal of Tilled Land in Rural China: An Empirically Oriented Transaction Costs Study Based on Contract Theory

Prices are effective signals of many market conditions, while underpricing of tilled land in rural China poses a dilemma to this common sense. Using n = 191 imputed contracts in rural China, this paper aims to investigate the role of ambiguous property rights in the context of agricultural reforms. Using rank statistics, several candidate variables in the transaction costs function fc(•) were identified, including BMI (Body Mass Index), Knowledge, Subtraction and Farming Experience. The results show clear evidence for underpricing to restrain competition under ambiguous property rights. More illuminatingly, non-parametric regression analysis specifies a well-founded transaction costs function: increasing Subtraction by one unit increases transaction costs by the equivalent of US$513.40, while a one-year increase of farming experience reduces transaction costs by US$116.20, ceteris paribus. It concludes that social costs behind underpricing are detrimental to China’s rural reform. This study contributes to economic theory, with important implications for policy makers. To encourage smooth transmission of price signals, it is important to consider farmer characteristics and develop professional farmers.

Zonificación ambiental participativa: una oportunidad para la conservación de la naturaleza y su planificación en el posacuerdo

En el presente artículo se analizan los antecedentes de la zonificación ambiental participativa (ZAP), teniendo como principal pretensión aportar elementos conceptuales y metodológicos para una planeación incluyente. La ZAP es un instrumento definido en el marco de la construcción del plan de zonificación ambiental propuesto en el Acuerdo Final para la Terminación del Conflicto y la Construcción de una Paz Estable y Duradera, concretamente en el punto 1. Hacia un nuevo campo colombiano: Reforma Rural Integral. Allí se presenta como una herramienta angular e innovadora que puede transformar los ejercicios de planificación ambiental, a partir de la participación efectiva de las comunidades locales, y contribuir a la construcción de apuestas territoriales para la identificación de las áreas de especial interés ambiental, el cierre de la frontera agropecuaria y la búsqueda de alternativas equilibradas para las comunidades locales en las zonas rurales. Abstract: This article analyzes the background of Participatory Environmental Zoning (ZAP), with the main intention of providing conceptual and methodological elements for inclusive planning. The ZAP understood as an instrument defined in the framework of the construction of the environmental zoning plan proposed in the peace effort, in the first point called Integral Rural Reform, as an angular and innovative tool that could transform environmental planning exercises, based in the effective participation of local communities and contributing to the construction of territorial resources for the identification of areas of special environmental interest, the agricultural frontier and the search for balanced alternatives for local communities in rural areas. Keywords: Land planning, zoning, areas of special environmental interest, agricultural frontier, environmental conservation.

Ordenamiento territorial interétnico para la construcción de paz en el Catatumbo, Norte de Santander (Colombia)

Este artículo aborda el conflicto territorial entre el pueblo indígena Barí y la Asociación Campesina del Catatumbo (ascamcat), que se expresa en el traslape de la pretensión para ampliar los dos resguardos indígenas del pueblo Barí y la constitución de la Zona de Reserva Campesina del Catatumbo, en los municipios de Tibú, El Tarra, Teorama, Convención y El Carmen, en Norte de Santander. El análisis se enmarca en el posconflicto y en la implementación del Acuerdo de Paz y sus programas, especialmente los propuestos en la Reforma Rural Integral y en el punto sobre la Solución al problema de las drogas ilícitas. A su vez, este artículo presenta el conflicto territorial entre indígenas y algunas comunidades campesinas, el cual fue visibilizado en esta coyuntura del posconflicto, y que se ha expresado en el desarrollo de la Sentencia T-052 de 2017 de la Corte Constitucional. Es en este contexto donde emergen con más fuerza propuestas de ordenamiento y de diálogo interétnico para la elaboración de propuestas sobre el territorio, teniendo en cuenta este elemento como eje fundamental de las transformaciones desde las comunidades y la construcción de paz. Abstract: This article develops an analysis of the territorial conflict between the indigenous Barí and the peasant organization ascamcat in Catatumbo, North of Santander. This conflict is expressed in the overlapping of the indigenous claim and the constitution of the Catatumbo Peasant Reserve Zone in Tibú, El Tarra, Teorama, Convención and El Carmen. The analysis frames in the post-conflict and the implementation of the Peace Agreement and its programs, especially those proposed in the Integral Rural Reform and on the Solution to the problem of illicit drug. This article presents the territorial conflict between indigenous and some peasant communities, which was evident a few years ago. And has been expressed in the development of Judgment T-052 of 2017 of the Constitutional Court. It is in this context that proposals for planning and inter-ethnic dialogue for building proposals for territory, taking into account this element as the fundamental axis of the transformations from the communities and peacebuilding. Keywords: territorial conflicts, inter-ethnic, Barí indigenous, peasant organizations, Catatumbo, peacebuilding.

Peacebuilding in Rural Colombia—A Collective Perception of the Integrated Rural Reform (IRR) in the Department of Caquetá (Amazon)

The 2016 peace agreement between the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP created institutional space for an effective implementation of needed rural reforms. However, the change of power structures also contains risks, like the deterioration of natural resources and the strengthening of other armed groups. By addressing collective perceptions regarding the Integrated Rural Reform (IRR), this paper shows the consequences of the peace agreement for the rural population in the department of Caquetá. Additionally, it presents the main challenges for further departmental development. The case study approach uses both semi-structured expert interviews of rural development stakeholders in different sectors based on three sampling strands, as well as participatory observation in the field. The main findings show an increase of general physical security and (economic) interest in the department since the signing of the agreement, while the deforestation rate, homicides, and threats against social-environmental leaders were all highly increased. The study also derives recommendations of departmental actors in rural development for a more effective peace implementation process, like the change from cattle driven to a more conservational economy with agri-silviculture and ecotourism, led by local civil society. To create a stable peace, it is crucial that the current government effectively implements the IRR, while also considering departmental perceptions of sustainable development. If the implementation process and departmental recognition is not enforced sufficiently, then peace might only be possible at the cost of the Amazon and its nature.