Impact of Different Re‐Cultivation Models on Abandoned Cropland Reuse in China

ABSTRACT Some croplands in hilly and mountainous regions worldwide are cycling between being abandoned and re‐cultivated. However, even government‐led re‐cultivation efforts in some areas remain vulnerable to being abandoned again. This study examines how farmers' experiences of re‐cultivating abandoned cropland (ERAC) influence their current willingness to re‐cultivate abandoned cropland (WRAC). The study employs an analytical framework based on self‐perception theory, utilizes the ordered logistic model, and draws on empirical data from hilly and mountainous areas in Hunan and Jiangxi, China. The results show that farmers' ERAC significantly boosts their WRAC. Specifically, farmers with ERAC are more likely to report being “strongly willing” or “relatively willing” to engage in the re‐cultivation of abandoned cropland (RAC). At the same time, they are less likely to report being “relatively unwilling” or “uncertain.” In turn, there is no significant difference in the likelihood of reporting being “strongly unwilling.” Both spontaneous and policy‐guided ERAC positively impact farmers' WRAC, with no significant difference between the two. Both ERAC involving food crops and that involving cash crops positively impact farmers' WRAC. Importantly, the effect of ERAC involving cash crops is significantly greater than that of ERAC involving food crops. These results suggest that encouraging farmers with ERAC to engage in RAC should be a priority, along with strategic guidance for their involvement in food crop re‐cultivation, to effectively revitalize abandoned cropland.