Reformation of grassland use rights in agropastoral zoneA case study in Mayinggou Village, Yongchang County, Gansu

The degraded grassland areas in agropastoral area of northern China have accounted for 50 percent of the total grassland area in China. Due to more human population and small grassland area, the householder contract responsibility system (HCRS) is difficult to conduct in the agropastoral areas, resulting in livestock overgrazing in the public grassland and further degradation. A Participatory Rural Appraisal was conducted to collect data and information from 15 householders for determining the changes of livestock number, grassland productivity, production pattern and income between early HCRS and current HCRS in the Mayinggou village, Yongchang County, Gansu Province. The result of this study showed that the overgrazing rate on the grassland decreased by 74.27% after the implementation of HCRS, The farmers changed their concept on grassland management and improved the livestock production pattern, resulting in high income. This study suggested that reformation of grassland use rights would provide a good example and experiences for grassland management in agropastoral area in China.