It has been 10 months since the release of Document No. 1 in 2023, and the topic of rural homestead reform has always been the focus of farmers' concern. This article will focus on the five new changes ushered in by the rural homestead reform in 2023, and describe and expand each change in detail. Some of these changes are in the pilot phase, such as Articles 1 and 2;Others have already begun to be implemented nationwide, such as Articles 3, 4 and 5. These changes are not only to solve the problem of excessive rural homesteads, but also to promote the effective use of homesteads and the protection of farmers' rights and interests. The following will introduce each of these five major changes and their significance and impact on rural development.
In recent years, the phenomenon of rural homesteads exceeding the standard is very common. In order to solve this problem, the policy of paid use of rural homesteads has been piloted nationwide. For example, Chuanshanping Town, Miluo City, Yueyang City, Hunan Province, began to pilot the paid use policy in 2022. According to the policy, for homesteads that exceed the specified area, corresponding usage fees need to be paid. At the standard of 8 yuan to 15 yuan per square meter, farmers need to pay a certain amount of money to the village collective, depending on the size of the excess area. Through this policy, the scale of homestead land can be regulated, the efficiency of land use can be improved, and a certain amount of income can be increased for farmers.
Expansion: The implementation of the policy of paid use of rural homesteads is of great significance to solve the phenomenon of excessive rural homesteads. First of all, it can eliminate the problem of over-occupation of homesteads and ensure the rational use rights and interests of each farmer. Second, by collecting usage fees, we can increase a certain amount of income for the collective economy, promote the development of the village collective economy, and improve the peasants' livelihood. In addition, the pilot project can also accumulate valuable experience and lessons, and provide a scientific basis and direction for rural homestead reform.
In order to activate these resources, the pilot areas of homestead reform have begun to try the policy of paid withdrawal of homesteads. This policy allows peasants to return their homesteads in rural areas to village collectives after settling in cities and towns, and receive certain economic compensation. For example, in Wuyi County, Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, a policy stipulates that farmers who voluntarily quit their homesteads can receive not only 350,000 yuan per mu in compensation, but also an additional 40,000 yuan in compensation. This kind of policy not only solves the problem of rural homestead idleness, but also provides farmers with an additional economy.
Expansion: The implementation of the paid withdrawal policy of rural homesteads is of great significance for activating rural homestead resources. First of all, it can promote the rational flow of rural population to urban areas, reduce the pressure of rural overpopulation, and promote the transformation and development of the rural economy. Secondly, by giving farmers certain economic compensation, we can improve farmers' enthusiasm for homestead withdrawal and further promote the effective use of idle homesteads. In addition, the implementation of the policy also needs to strengthen supervision and management to prevent the transfer of benefits and improper operation.
In addition to the pilot paid use and paid withdrawal policies, the state also encourages rural areas to revitalize homestead resources. This can be achieved in the form of self-employment or shareholding. For example, farmers can cooperate with urban residents to set up rural farmhouses and ecological farms, or develop emerging industries such as rural tourism and rural e-commerce. This measure can not only promote the development of the rural economy, but also provide employment opportunities and increase farmers' income.
Expansion: The revitalization of rural homestead resources is of great significance to promote the diversified development of rural economy. First of all, the rise of leisure tourism projects such as rural farmhouses and ecological farms can meet the needs of urban residents for leisure and vacation, and improve the attractiveness of rural tourismSecondly, the production and sales of rural characteristic commodities and handicrafts can build rural brands and broaden farmers' income channelsIn addition, the development of rural e-commerce can make agricultural products better out of the countryside and enter the urban market, and improve the economic level and quality of life of farmers.
The confirmation of rural homestead rights is an important part of homestead reform. Document No. 1 of 2023 proposes to speed up the issuance of certificates for the integration of rural homestead and real estate to protect the rights and interests of farmers in homestead reform. Through the confirmation of rights and the issuance of certificates, farmers can legally own their own homesteads and enjoy the corresponding rights and dividends. For example, farmers who own homesteads can obtain financial support through mortgage loans to achieve the development of rural industries;At the same time, the confirmation and issuance of certificates also facilitates the circulation and transaction of homesteads, and improves the effective utilization of resources.
Expansion: The issuance of certificates for the confirmation of rural homestead rights is of great significance for rural stability and development. First of all, the confirmation of rights can reduce the disputes and contradictions caused by the unclear ownership of homesteads, and maintain the stability and order of rural society. Secondly, the confirmation of homestead land rights can improve farmers' awareness of property rights and the protection of rights and interests, and promote the reform of the rural land system. In addition, the homestead land after confirmation of ownership can be regarded as an important property, providing certain guarantees and support for farmers to further integrate into civil society and participate in the market economy.
In order to protect the legitimate rights and interests of farmers in the homestead reform, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued the Interim Administrative Measures for Rural Homesteads in November 2022, which clearly stipulates that it is prohibited to illegally repossess the homesteads obtained by farmers in accordance with the law. This measure strengthens the land use rights and interests of farmers and effectively safeguards their legitimate rights and interests. However, if the farmer uses the homestead illegally, it will lead to the situation that the homestead will be repossessed, such as using the homestead base for non-agricultural purposes or being idle for a long time, then the homestead can be recovered in accordance with the law.
Extension: The prohibition on illegal repossession of legal homestead land is to protect the legitimate rights and interests of rural villagers and prevent the improper repossession of homestead land and the transfer of benefits. The implementation of this policy can promote better protection of peasants' legitimate land rights and interests, and encourage peasants to use land in accordance with the law and rationally. At the same time, while enjoying the rights and interests of homesteads, rural villagers also need to fulfill corresponding obligations and responsibilities, legally use homesteads, and actively participate in rural economic development.
Before summarizing the content of the article, I would like to draw the reader's attention to some issues. First of all, this paper mainly expounds and interprets the five new changes in the rural homestead reform proposed in the first document of 2023, but the specific implementation policies and measures may vary due to regional differences. Therefore, readers need to consult local policies, regulations and practices on relevant issues. Secondly, the description and expansion of each change in this paper are based on existing data and information, but there may be a certain degree of subjectivity and one-sidedness. Therefore, readers need to make judgments and evaluations based on a combination of information from all sides.
To sum up, the rural homestead reform in 2023 will usher in five new changes. The implementation of the pilot policy of paid use and paid withdrawal, the encouragement of rural revitalization of homestead resources, the acceleration of the process of confirming and issuing certificates for homestead rights, and the provisions prohibiting the illegal recovery of legal homestead land have all provided strong institutional guarantees and policy support for rural homestead reform. The implementation of these changes will help solve the problem of excessive rural homesteads, activate homestead resources, increase farmers' incomes, and promote the development of rural economy and the process of rural modernization. However, the specific effects and impacts of these changes need to be further observed and evaluated in practice, so as to optimize policies and improve systems. At the same time, the reform of rural homesteads also needs to pay special attention to balancing the rights and interests of peasants and the collective interests to ensure the stability and harmonious development of rural society. It is hoped that through continuous policy adjustment and practical innovation, the rural homestead reform can bring more benefits and benefits to farmers.