In a recent interview, Hou Shunli, a prominent member of the Party Leadership Group and Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives, as well as the Party Secretary and Chairman of China Supply and Marketing Group, addressed the ongoing challenges China faces in modernizing its agriculture. He pointed out the intricate dynamics that exist between large agricultural enterprises and smallholder farmers. “Given our national context and the realities of our agricultural sector, advancing agricultural modernization continues to be a formidable challenge,” he remarked.
At the Fourth National Agricultural Comprehensive Service Provider Conference and the Tenth National Agricultural Inputs Technology Expo, Hou outlined several critical initiatives aimed at enhancing the cooperative system. He emphasized the need to leverage technology to bolster agriculture and to stimulate new productive forces through innovation. “We must develop a modern service system that improves cost efficiency and assists farmers in boosting both production and income,” he asserted. Furthermore, he stressed the significance of collaboration in supporting farmers as a cohesive group.
China’s agricultural inputs sector is currently undergoing a transformation toward a more socialized service model. This evolution is marked by a shift from single services to a diverse range of multi-layered offerings and from isolated efforts to collaborative regional approaches. The industry is also moving from basic mechanization to adopting advanced technologies and sustainable practices.
Long Wen, Director of the Agricultural Production Materials and Cotton and Hemp Bureau of the All-China Federation, echoed Hou’s views, stating, “We need to be deeply committed and confident in delivering agricultural socialized services. It’s essential to speed up the development of our agricultural input network while constantly enhancing service capacities. Implementing the ‘Green Agricultural Inputs’ upgrade initiative is vital for gradually establishing a comprehensive service system.”
Reports suggest that the future of agricultural socialized services aims to connect smallholder farmers with modern agricultural practices, paving the way for a transition toward more professional, standardized, intensive, green, and branded agricultural operations.
