Recently, data released by the National Bureau of Statistics revealed encouraging trends in China’s agricultural production for the first three quarters of 2024. The livestock sector remains stable overall, while the agricultural value added from crop production showed a year-on-year growth of 3.7%. In terms of summer grain and early rice, the total production reached 17.795 million tons, marking an increase of 346,000 tons or 2.0% compared to the previous year. Furthermore, meat production from pigs, cattle, sheep, and poultry amounted to 70.44 million tons, reflecting a 1.0% increase year-on-year. As we move into the autumn harvesting season, progress is running smoothly, and we can expect another abundant year for grain production.
What factors contribute to this promising agricultural outlook? Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee, China has implemented deep reforms in food security. The institutional framework has been enhanced continually, leading to a positive shift in food security conditions. The total grain output has remained stable at over 1.3 trillion jin for nine consecutive years, with per capita grain production reaching 493 kilograms—above the internationally recognized safety line of 400 kilograms. China has established a comprehensive food reserve system, including central, local, and social reserves, ensuring sufficient quantity, quality, and safe storage. This has helped stabilize the grain market and further strengthen the country’s food security.
We asked experts about the ongoing improvements in mechanisms to ensure food security. The third plenary session of the 20th National Congress outlined key goals such as “enhancing support systems for agriculture, farmers’ welfare, and income growth,” along with accelerating the establishment of mechanisms to safeguard farmer profits. There’s a strong push to improve county-level policies that promote rural industry development by leveraging local resources and enhancing the multiple functions and values of agriculture to invigorate rural economies.
What about the construction of high-standard farmland? Experts emphasize that this is foundational for modern agricultural development and crucial for enhancing grain production capacity. Moving forward, it is essential to strengthen the foundations of food security by utilizing a region-specific approach to determine the focus of high-standard farmland construction. This includes comprehensive measures such as land consolidation, soil improvement, irrigation, and road construction, particularly in areas with strong potential. A clear management structure is crucial, ensuring that the parties who benefit from the farmland are also responsible for its care.
What can we say about the advancements in agricultural technology? The agricultural science and technology contribution rate in China has reached 63.2%, positioning the country among the world leaders in agricultural innovation. Since September, over 10 million various agricultural machinery has been put into use for harvesting and planting. However, there’s still room for improvement when comparing our technology adoption rates with advanced global standards. To enhance agricultural productivity, it’s important to harness digital technology, integrate smart devices, and leverage big data to transition traditional farming into a more intelligent and efficient model.
Looking ahead, ensuring agricultural stability is vital for national peace. The third plenary session has laid out significant tasks for agricultural and rural reform, aiming to expedite the implementation of comprehensive measures to boost grain production. Future actions will focus on high-standard farmland, modern agricultural facilities, and rural development, creating robust proposals to integrate quality farmland, seeds, practices, and resources. This strategic approach aims to foster high-quality agricultural development and better safeguard food security, paving the way for a brighter future in modern agriculture.
