[Objective] The objective is to seek a sustainable agricultural development models in karst rocky desertification areas of Guizhou Province under the current background to control the desertification and manage the fragile ecological environment.[Methods] Based on field investigation and theoretical analysis, we analyzed farmers' behavior and issues in agricultural development to reveal the key factors that hinder agricultural development.[Results] The market risks and farmers' own interest are the main driving factors that hinders sustainable development in the study area.[Conclusion] To increase the economic benefit of agricultural products and reduce farmers' market risk in the commercialization process can be the key solution to the sustainable agricultural development in karst rocky desertification areas. Typical agricultural development models such as commercial agriculture with efficient irrigation suitable for rocky desertification areas, economic fruit forest-livestock breeding-cash crops cultivation, and livestock (fish)-methane-planting(fruits) are highly recommended in this area.