North China's Shanxi province recently passed the "Shanxi Provincial Rural Vitalization Promotion Regulations" to establish distinctive pathways for increasing farmers' income through institutional designs.

The regulations encourage local governments to support the development of agriculture, livestock farming, agricultural product processing, commerce, and rural tourism. This aims to integrate primary, secondary, and tertiary industries in rural areas, foster renowned brands of local agricultural products, and enable farmers to benefit from the development of specialty industries.

The regulations support the development of rural e-commerce and logistics systems to open broader markets for agricultural products, expand sales channels, and increase farmers' operational income. Farmers are encouraged to develop family-oriented projects such as courtyard, under-forest, and homestay economies to boost household income.

The regulations also encourage nurturing new agricultural business entities like family farms and farmer cooperatives. These entities are supported in agricultural technology promotion, production management, deep processing of agricultural products, and logistics services to provide farmers with more employment and income opportunities.

The regulations encourage the establishment of industry-education integration mechanisms between universities, vocational schools, and agricultural enterprises, fostering rural talent development and enhancing farmers' skills and income potential.

Farmers are encouraged to participate in basic pension and medical insurance, and social assistance for rural disadvantaged groups will be improved to reduce concerns about the future, indirectly stabilizing income expectations.