Food Security and Informal Strategies after Poverty-alleviation Resettlement in China

During the 13th Five-Year Plan period from 2016 to 2020, China resettled 9.6 million people for the purpose of poverty alleviation, which has resulted in massive displacement and land loss for villagers, disrupting traditional agricultural livelihoods and food self-sufficiency on an unprecedented scale. The transition to urban resettlement communities has led to significant challenges in food security, as rural villagers who previously relied on land-based food production suddenly found themselves detached from their primary means of subsistence. In response to food security challenges, resettled villagers have increasingly relied on informal food systems, such as street vending and informal markets, to secure food and sustain livelihoods. By exploring how resettled populations navigate food security through informal mechanisms, this study aims to enhance the global understanding of the role of informal economies in post-resettlement adaptation. The objectives of the project include: (1) to map out the status of food insecurity for resettled villagers; (2) to determine the impact of poverty-alleviation resettlement on food security among land-lost villagers; (3) to explore the roles of informal food systems in mitigating food insecurity after resettlement; and (4) to identify coping strategies and planning policies to enhance food security for the resettled. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, including a household survey with approximately 200 resettled households; photovoice with 30 resettled villagers; semi-structured interviews (n=25–30) and focus group discussions (2-3 groups) will be conducted with villagers, local cadres, and informal traders; and participant observations to record informal food practices and market dynamics through field notes and photo documentation.