When the Communists took over in 1949 estimates of the agricultural population topped 90%. With mass migration to the cities the numbers are changing fast and China now has a greater urban population than rural. The Guilin region remains an ideal place to explore the country’s agrarian roots. Its moderate climate, high rainfall and fertile soil, makes it possible to grow almost anything.
Recent land reforms have resulted in individual families being allocated small parcels of land. Despite government attempts to encourage mechanised techniques most farmers still favour the water buffalo, which has been used for centuries. Reforms of the 1980s also encouraged peasants to sell their produce on the free market. The colourful farmers’ markets around Yangshuo, brimming with fresh persimmons, pomelos, cumquats and many other fruit remain a great place to witness China’s market economy at a grass roots level. To further encourage people to work the land the government recently eliminated agricultural taxes. None of this has been enough to prevent young people from moving to the big cities, attracted by higher salaries and modern living. The elderly are left behind to take care of the farms and the children. Fundamental issues such as how to put food on the table and how to educate the children are commonplace. Many children still have to walk several miles to school each day, and it is difficult to retain qualified teachers.
Each village has a democratically elected leader who acts as a go-between for the peasants and the local authorities on issues such as new roads, family planning, education and healthcare. They are an efficient barometer for the government to understand the concerns of Chinas’ rural majority.
Despite the difficulties, conditions for many of China’s peasants have dramatically improved and they remain free from the air pollution and intense pressure that hangs over much of China’s urban population.