A selective approach to typical householder farm in the pastoral regions of the QinghaiTibet plateauA case study in Maqu county of Gansu Province, China

The selection of typical householder farm in the pastoral area of the QinghaiTibet Plateau is very important for technology extension of animal husbandry. Based on the data of the grassland area, the livestock number, the income and expenditure per householder from 20 householders living in the Maqu County, this study proposed the selection approach and standard for typical householder farm by combining the productive resources and management level. Based on the proposed standards, the householders of No.2, No.12, No.13 and No.19 were determined as typical householders in the Maqu County, and their grassland area, livestock number and income/expenditure per householder were 195.0 hm2, 452.5 SU, 5.08 ten thousands CNY and 4.18 ten thousands CNY, respectively. This study suggested that the selective householders reflected the current status of management level and life standard of farmers in the study area.