Literature review and policy implication of effect of rural labor transfer on rural development

A large number of rural workers swarm into city and off-farm jobs in China. It is meaningful to check its effect on rural development, and it will help realize harmonious urban-rural development by adopting corresponding coping strategies. Based on review of articles in home and abroad, it is found that the effect is depended on rural labor stock, available capital, use of remittance, human capital returning to hometown, etc. As a result, rural labor transfer exerts both positive and negative effect on rural development. Therefore more attention should be paid to those negative effects on rural development during promoting the rural labor flow, including, agricultural production, rural economy, and rural social development. Finally, countermeasures are proposed, like accepting agricultural production units, practically advancing the ‘industry re-feeding agriculture and city supporting country'.