Keywords: 
• forestry economics /
• northwest China /
• conversion of farmland back to forests project /
• rural household survey /
• policy implementation

Abstract: In order to understand the implementation of conversion of farmland back to forests project over the last 10 years，this research conducted a deep investigation of 793 households of six provinces in the northwest China who were involved in conversion of farmland back to forests project. The results indicate that the ecological environment，the eco-awareness and livelihoods of the households have been improved significantly than that before the implementation of the project. The related policies have reached the designated position and been supported by farmers. Subsidy issue is a common concern. The paper analyzes the existing problems including the low level of cashing the subsidy，inadequate transparency and inspection，unrealistic requirements for the ratio of tree species，inadequate publicity and low harvest in the land recovered from project，extensive management and weak technology. Then the paper proposes some policy recommendations to address the existing problems.［Ch，1 fig. 1 tab. 10 ref.］