Abstract: Based on the theory of viable capacity and the framework of sustainable livelihoods, an analytical framework of “poverty return risk identification-poverty return risk response-viable capacity development” was constructed. Under the guidance of this framework, based on the field research in the M cross-county relocation resettlement area of Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, the problems in the management of the risk of returning to poverty for poverty alleviation farmers were analyzed and optimization paths were proposed. The study found that the poverty alleviation farmers faced multiple risks of returning to poverty and had difficulties in livelihood transformation; the industry and employment in the resettlement area did not match, and poverty alleviation farmers lacked nearby employment opportunities; data collection by grassroots grid clerks was difficult, and dynamic monitoring and evaluation indicators lagged; and poverty alleviation farmers had insufficient endogenous motivation, and the development of viable capacities was difficult. To address these problems, a poverty return risk management system should be established, that was “based on the establishment of a dynamic monitoring mechanism to prevent the return of poverty, with the promotion of income generation of poverty alleviation farmers as the fundamental requirement, the promotion of industrial development in the county as the main focus, and the enhancement of the viable capacity of poverty alleviation farmers to realize comprehensive development as the core”, so as to promote the effective connection between consolidating and expanding the results of poverty eradication and rural revitalization.

Key words: rural revitalization, governance of the risk of returning to poverty, poverty alleviation farmers, viable capacity development