ABSTRACT
The necessity and reality of farmer innovation and self-organisation in the marginal areas of China can be shown by a tailored survey in Zhidan, one of the ‘nationally assigned poor counties’ in north Shaanxi. Conducted during the period 1996-7, it was implemented by an integrative methodology consisting of secondary information collection, key informant interviews, participatory environmental observation, household questionnaire surveys and case studies. The results of data analysis are displayed in Chapters 5-7. Before detailed examination of farmer innovative potential and organisational patterns, this chapter attempts to introduce Zhidan’s environment, development and innovation in general, and identify its challenges and dilemmas related to rural sustainability in particular. The above objectives are addressed in five sections. To begin, Zhidan’s population, resource and ecological environment are outlined. It is followed by its economic environment and development challenges. Section 5.3 concerns the evolution of rural innovation strategy whilst Section 5.4 examines institutional contradictions and their impacts on agricultural innovation. The final section summarises the research findings and raises further questions and foci for village and household surveys.
