Research on the Influencing Factors of the Cropland Abandonment Behavior of Different Typical Types of Farming Households: Based on a Survey in Mountainous Areas

Cropland abandonment (CA) is a critical environmental issue globally, with balancing food security and ecological protection vital for sustainable development. This study explores CA behavior differences and drivers between out-of-poverty farming households (OPFHs) and non-poverty farming households (NPFHs) in China′s mountainous areas, using stepwise regression on survey data from 321 households in Liping County, Guizhou. The results show that: (1) The differences in CA behaviors between the two types of farming households are mainly reflected at the farmer level and the plot level. Plot integrity is a common influencing factor of CA areas for both types of farming households. (2) The driving factors affecting the area of CA by OPFHs also include the average age of the labor force, the proportion of the resident population in the total household registration population, and plot type, while the drivers affecting the area of CA by NPFHs include per capita income, non-agricultural income, per capita cropland area, and commuting time. (3) The differences in CA behavior and its driving factors between OPFHs and NPFHs in mountainous areas are characterized by diversity and interaction. Based on the results of the study, we propose the management of farming households and cropland, which can contribute to rural revitalization in China and the world, to a certain extent.