Weng Zhenlin1, 2, Jiang Siwei1, Lin Zhuyu1
Based on the survey data of Jiangxi Province in 2023, this paper finds that improving the village governance capacity significantly expands the proportion of grain growing areas, that is, the village governments effective agricultural policy guidance and the raising of its governance capacity encourage the farmers to grow grains. The conclusion is still valid under the robustness tests of replacing the explained variables and using the instrumental variable method.The mechanism test shows that the adoption of agricultural socialized services plays an intermediary role in the influence of villagelevel governance capacity on farmers food crops growing, that is, the villagelevel governance capacity promotes doublecropping rice planting and increases grain output by promoting the farmers adoption of socialized services. Through heterogeneity analysis, it is found that in contrast with plain areas, the capacity of village governance in hilly areas can significantly promote “grainoriented” production, and in contrast with regions with higher degree of fragmentation, the capacity of village governance plays a more significant role in promoting grain production in areas with lower degree of fragmentation. Therefore, in order to maintain planting size and ensure food security, we should take multiple measures to improve the governance capacity at the village level, promote socialized services, guide and help the farmers to grow food crops in line with local conditions, and provide solid organizational and institutional guarantees for food security.