By Qin Zhongchun & Zhou Qunli, Research Team on “The Institutional Arrangements and Policy System for the Integrated Urban and Rural Development”, Research Department of Rural Economy, DRC

Research Report, No.174, 2018 (Total 5449) 2018-10-18

Abstract: France and Britain are among the countries leading the industrialization, urbanization and agricultural modernization drive. The transformation of rural development has led to the replacement of traditional farming by specialization-based farming. As a result, the number of farmers account for only a small proportion of rural residents, farmers’ income has increased and the income of young farmers is even more than that of the middle-level earners. All these show that their urban and rural development has already become integrated. This transformation move started in the 20th century, when both countries made some major reforms in rural development policies such as adopting specialization-based farming, supporting the application of agricultural technology, participating in the implementation of EU common agricultural policies, promoting urban-rural functions in a complementary mode, strengthening control over land development right, and adjusting the administrative relationship between municipalities and townships. Based on our research findings on France and Britain, it could be found that China is still lagging behind in rural development. As China is experiencing a key period of transformation, it needs to implement the rural rejuvenation strategy, transform its traditional development model, adopt an investment-oriented mindset and focus on an orderly development.

Key words: rural rejuvenation, modern agriculture, France, Britain