This paper introduces the definition of mental poverty and the status quo of mental poverty in China’s rural areas.Mental poverty in China’s rural areas embodies the following aspects:the sense of parochialism is serious;the small farmer consciousness is strong;there is misgiving about identity.This paper analyses the reason of mental poverty influencing farmers’ behaviour model and rural economic development.Mental poverty influences the farmers’ changing current situation;mental poverty influences the rural population structure;mental poverty influences the rural normal order.The countermeasures and proposals are put forward to obviate mental poverty in rural areas as follows:first,strengthen farmers’ consciousness of main body,and improve farmers’ psychological feeling;second,coordinate urban-rural development,and strengthen farmers’ social identity degree;third,increase inputs into cultural building,and promote farmers’ quality;fourth,open up mind,and encourage the outflow of labour forces.