Land consolidation and interhousehold land-use conflicts: Insights from China

Abstract

This study develops a theoretical framework to examine how land consolidation affects interhousehold land-use conflicts (LUCs). It shows that land consolidation mitigates disamenity spatial externalities from fragmented land use rights, reducing conflicts over economic land rights. Using survey data of rice farmers from China and a conditional mixed process model, we empirically confirm that land consolidation significantly lowers the likelihood of interhousehold LUCs. The effect is stronger with cooperative institutions but weaker where alternative mechanisms—like risk-sharing or clan-based governance—exist. The study’s findings underscore the importance of integrating institutional support with land consolidation to reduce rural LUCs effectively.