Impact of ecological migration policy on farmers’ capabilities: Hainan tropical rainforest case

Enhancing the capabilities of farmers is of significant importance for improving the sustainability of their development and preventing large-scale poverty reversion. This study is based on field survey data from Wuzhishan city, Baoting, Baisha, and Qiongzhong counties in Hainan Province, collected in 2023. The study employs PSM to empirically analyze the impact of the ecological migration (eco-migration) policy on farmers’ capabilities and its underlying mechanisms. Results show: (1) the eco-migration policy significantly improves the capabilities of farmers and demonstrates strong robustness. (2) the mechanism analysis indicates that the eco-migration policy affects farmers’ capabilities through their participation in agricultural cooperatives. (3) the heterogeneity analysis indicates no significant intergenerational difference in benefits between new and older-generation farmers; however, the eco-migration policy exerts a more substantial impact on ordinary farmers compared to those from cadre families, and its effect on enhancing farmers’ capabilities is more pronounced in villages with higher cadre competence than in those with lower competence. Therefore, continuously improving the eco-migration policy, providing ongoing support to farmers, and encouraging their participation in farmer cooperatives are crucial strategies for enhancing farmers’ capabilities and promoting rural revitalization.