SWOT analysis on grouphousehold grassland managementin Maqu and strategies for future development

Exploring the patterns of grassland utilization is the key to realize the sustainable development of the grassland resources. In order to offer the advocates and policy makers a new view on grassland utilization, the SWOT tools were used to analyze two grassland management patterns in Maqu, i.e., the individual household contract and grouphousehold contract. The results showed that the grouphousehold management was better. Under the grouphousehold management, the usage right of grassland belongs to a group of household and it could avoid the grassland overusing without supervision and limit the unreasonable action under the individual household management. It showed many advantages, such as high ecology efficiency, low cost of livestock production and balance between livestock demand and forage supply, and abound social resources. At present, the grouphousehold management is commonly accepted in Maqu and very successful. And it should be the grassland management pattern in the future.