[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.