How do climate anomalies affect the duration of land transfers? Evidence from China

The duration of land transfers plays a pivotal role in attaining agricultural sustainability and enhancing farmer’s welfare. Using household tracking survey data from China, this study investigates how climate anomalies affect the duration of land transfers. We find that abnormally high temperatures during the growing season shorten the duration of land rented in, while abnormally high precipitation during the growing season extends the duration of land rented out. Land rent is the main channel through which climate anomalies affect the duration of land transfers. Abnormally high precipitation reduces the unit rent of land rented out, while abnormally high temperatures increase the unit rent of land rented in. Additionally, household heads with a risk-lover attitude weakened the positive effect of abnormal high precipitation on the duration of land rented out, while larger areas of land rented out strengthened such effect. The negative effect of abnormally high temperatures on the duration of land rented in is more pronounced in hot regions. These findings offer valuable references for relevant government agencies to formulate policies to extend the duration of land transfers and safeguard farmer welfare amidst the challenges of climate change.