[Objective] The paper is to study the compensation for farmland preservation in Jiangsu Province based on the breakeven funds in order to provide support for cultivated land protection. [Methods] We attempted to introduce the non-market value into zoning farmland compensation. Based on compensation standard

farmland demand was adjusted. We also measured the compensation funds when farmland deficits or surplus funds are breakeven in different regions . [Results] (1) The standard of regional compensation for farmland preservation in Jiangsu Province was 5.685 yuan/(m2·a) in 2010

including economic

social and ecological value. The cities could be classified into five cultivated land deficits zones and eight surplus zones

and the land deficits zones should pay 3.78×1010 yuan to the land surplus zones when funds were breakeven. (2) In general

most of the developed regions were cultivated land deficits zones

while most of the developing regions were cultivated land surplus zones. [Conclusion] It is necessary to establish the regional compensation mechanism for farmland preservation

enhance the incentive mechanism and plan rationally in China.