Research on the Mechanism and Policy Support of "New Farmers" in Promoting Rural Revitalization in Western Rural Areas

Abstract

This study takes Wansheng District in Chongqing as a case to systematically analyze the internal mechanisms and policy support of "new farmers" in driving rural revitalization. Based on theories such as human capital, industrial integration, social embedding, and policy tools, it constructs a three-dimensional analysis framework of "actor-behavior-environment" to reveal the dual-path mechanism through which new farmers activate rural endogenous dynamics via technological empowerment and social capital reconstruction. Empirical research demonstrates that new farmers significantly enhance agricultural added value and farmer income through measures such as industrial chain reshaping (agricultural orders, deep processing, cloud warehouse logistics), organizational innovation (the "leading enterprise + new farmers + cooperatives" model), and cultural activation (intangible cultural heritage IP development), with the synergistic effect of technology diffusion and organizational restructuring contributing 53%. However, rural areas in western China still face structural constraints such as land fragmentation, limited financing channels, and infrastructure deficiencies, along with issues like "elite capture" and insufficient departmental coordination in policy implementation.  Drawing on 1,200 questionnaires and multi-source data, the study validates through multiple regression and structural equation modeling that policy support (β=0.352) and digital skills (β=0.287) are core drivers, yet farmland fragmentation (CFI=0.89) significantly undermines the synergistic effect of policy and technology diffusion. To address these issues, the study proposes a "three-chain synergy" policy toolkit: promoting virtual plot consolidation and securitization of land use rights; innovating supply chain ABS and insurance futures coordination; and establishing village-level mid-level platforms and resident "digital stewards." Additionally, it designs a policy performance evaluation system covering economic, social, ecological, and innovation dimensions, along with a fault-tolerant and corrective mechanism to ensure policy implementation.  Theoretically, this study integrates new endogenous development and urban-rural interaction theories to construct a mechanistic model tailored to the western context. Practically, it provides replicable policy solutions for western counties, aiding in addressing the sustainability challenges of rural revitalization.