[Objective] The overall features of contemporary agriculture with regard to society

economy and culture were depicted to illustrate the intrinsic social reason that might potentially slow down the agricultural progress. [Methods] Field investigation and interview

especially on the topics of ecological resources and sociocultural connotation were conducted in Shaanxi Province of Northwest China. The province was exemplified to analyze the intrinsic link between contemporary agriculture progress and society development

and to predict the agricultural evolution tendency. From social structure perspective

the effects of population emigration and stratum differentiation on the agricultural evolution were discussed. [Results] In terms of development concept

social foundation and equilibrium

a list of problems existed in agricultural development were thought rooted in social structure as the phenomena of breakout

imparity and gap. The agricultural development in the undeveloped areas in Northwest China were both affected by the rigorous environment and low level economy. Besides

it was also mutually affected by social structure factors as organization form

policy and administrative intervention. In other words

the agricultural progress itself was routinely shaped by external factors. [Conclusion] Choosing the operation mode for modern agriculture is essentially choosing the social formation for rural areas

which is closely related with the regional development trend.