Effect of implementing grassland subsidy policy in Tianzhu County, Gansu Province, China

Grassland is an essential ecological asset and a productive resource, which means that it has an important strategic position in China’s social and economic development. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, China has incorporated the construction of ecological civilization into the overall layout of “five in one”, and implementation of the compensation for grassland policy is an important measure that will accelerate the construction of ecological civilization. In addition, the policy is of great significance to the sustainable development of the ecological environment and poverty reduction in pastoral regions. This study investigated the two rounds of compensation policy by analyzing the statistical data over the years and by consulting the almanac. The changes in livestock carrying capacity and the ecological, economic, and social benefits of different grassland types before and after implementing the policy were analyzed. The results showed that 1) after implementation of the two-round bonus policy, the ecological environment of the Tianzhu County grassland gradually recovered and the per unit yield of hay reached 2 162.28 kg·ha^–1, which was 45.4% higher than before the bonus policy was implemented. 2) The mode of production used by the livestock industry continued to change. The theoretical livestock carrying capacity increased by 429 800 sheep units, which implies a 54.3% increase compared to before the introduction of the bonus policy. 3) The per capita income of farmers and herdsmen increased from 4 012 CNY before the policy was implemented to 8 265 CNY. After two rounds of the grassland ecological compensation policy following implementation of the prominent issues, the following are considered relevant and are therefore recommended: 1) increase investment in ecological compensation and improve the compensation standards of the Grassland Compensation Prize; 2) accelerate the development of modern agricultural industries, increase industrial support, and actively develop agriculture and animal husbandry with distinctive features; and 3) establish and improve the system of grazing prohibition and grazing control, and scientifically formulate measures for grazing prohibition and control.