China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has outlined new guidelines aimed at driving agricultural technology innovation between 2024 and 2028. These guidelines focus on ten key areas to strengthen the agricultural sector, emphasizing the importance of advanced technologies in improving farming practices, safeguarding food security, and boosting rural development.
One of the major areas of focus is the development of new crop varieties, with an emphasis on breeding more resilient and higher-yielding plants. Alongside this, the guidelines stress the importance of improving the quality of arable land. To achieve this, new technologies will be used to enhance soil quality and ensure sustainable farming practices. For instance, rapid soil testing technologies will be developed to support smart agriculture, coupled with a digital soil information system, multidimensional soil monitoring networks, and platforms to evaluate and issue early warnings on farmland conditions.
Another crucial aspect highlighted in the guidelines is the push for green and low-carbon agricultural practices. These efforts aim to address agricultural non-point source pollution, advance climate-adaptive farming practices, and promote ecological circular agriculture. In line with this, the guidelines advocate for the development of technology-driven solutions to mitigate environmental impacts, reduce emissions, and promote sustainable farming practices that work in harmony with nature.
China has already made significant strides in agricultural science and technology. With an agricultural science and technology progress rate surpassing 63 percent, China’s agricultural innovation is increasingly regarded as a global leader. In 2024, over 400 million mu (around 26.67 million hectares) of black soil were restored, and a nationwide soil “physical examination” was conducted, with millions of samples collected from farmland across the country. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to improve farmland quality, safeguard food security, and restore degraded land, including black soil and saline-alkali land.
In addition to land and soil conservation, the guidelines highlight the importance of sustainable water management in agriculture. The protection and efficient use of arable land and water resources are considered essential in promoting clean agricultural production. Moreover, pilot projects in green and circular farming will be launched to explore environmentally friendly practices that can be scaled across the country. By integrating ecological practices into agricultural industries, China aims to create a more sustainable agricultural system.
Furthermore, the guidelines stress the need for digital solutions to improve rural living conditions and governance. Key digital technologies will be developed to enhance rural healthcare, support the expansion of rural industries, and facilitate the integration of agricultural supply chains. There will also be a concerted effort to promote the sharing and integration of information and data, accelerating the digital transformation of rural areas. By fostering these digital advancements, the aim is to make agricultural and rural development more efficient, transparent, and accessible, benefiting both farmers and the broader community.
To ensure the success of these initiatives, the government plans to tailor agricultural modernization efforts to different regions of the country. Local economic conditions in the eastern, central, western, and northeastern regions will shape the specific strategies used to enhance agricultural productivity and rural development. Regional policies will be designed to optimize the use of local resources, enhance technological capabilities, and promote sustainable growth.
The guidelines also emphasize the importance of strengthening the agricultural science and technology innovation system, nurturing leading agricultural technology enterprises, and accelerating the application of scientific breakthroughs. The goal is to provide strong technological support for building a robust and competitive agricultural sector that can ensure food security and sustainable growth.
In conclusion, China is poised to take significant steps toward advancing agricultural technology. With a focus on soil health, sustainable practices, and digital transformation, the country is aiming to modernize its agricultural sector, ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future for its rural communities and the nation as a whole.
