As spring begins, the annual No. 1 central document has been released, marking the 14th consecutive year since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China that the policy has focused on agriculture, rural areas, and farmers. This sends a strong signal of prioritizing and strengthening the agricultural sector. The document outlines plans to advance agricultural and rural modernization and steadily promote comprehensive rural revitalization, reflecting a strategic approach to stabilizing the economic foundation and advancing China's unique path to modernization.
Food security remains a top priority amid a rapidly changing global landscape. Having sufficient grain supplies ensures confidence in overcoming challenges. By 2025, China's grain output is expected to reach 1.43 trillion jin, with per capita availability far exceeding international safety standards. The supply of key agricultural products remains abundant, markets stable, and reserves sufficient.
On the path to modernization, the government aims to build beautiful and livable villages, increase farmers' incomes, and enhance the overall quality of China's modernization drive. Despite significant achievements in agriculture, challenges remain. While grain harvests have been consistently strong, the level of modernization in agriculture and rural areas is still relatively low, and there is room to improve quality and efficiency. Disparities in living conditions, infrastructure, and public services between urban and rural areas also persist.
This year's central document identifies building a modernized agricultural industry as one of the key goals for rural development. Modern agricultural practices are increasingly being adopted, with drones becoming common tools for tasks such as crop protection, sowing, fertilization, and monitoring. China now leads the world in the number of agricultural drones in use. The shift from traditional farming to data-driven and algorithm-enhanced operations highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in areas like breeding and cultivation.
The concept of a "modernized large industry" does not simply refer to scale but emphasizes a broader agricultural scope, a more complete industrial system, and higher value-added products. It involves moving beyond traditional farming to embrace a broader vision of agriculture and food production. This includes sourcing food from diverse environments such as forests, grasslands, and water bodies, and obtaining nutrients from plants, animals, and microorganisms. Such an approach helps build a diversified food supply system, ensuring food security while improving dietary quality.
The expansion of the agricultural industry is also reflected in the extension of industrial chains. Many farmers have historically faced the challenge of good harvests not translating into higher incomes. Efforts to deepen processing and enhance value addition—such as turning high-quality rice into instant meals or rice bran oil, and processing tea into ready-to-eat snacks or skincare products—are helping farmers achieve better returns. Strengthening regional public brands and improving market access are key to turning high yields into higher profits.
Furthermore, the integration of agriculture with culture and tourism is unlocking domestic demand potential. The ecological, leisure, and cultural functions of agriculture are gaining prominence as urban and rural consumption patterns evolve. Rapeseed fields have become popular tourist destinations, old farmhouses are being converted into boutique homestays, and traditional farming techniques are being preserved as intangible cultural heritage experiences. These small yet vibrant businesses are making rural areas more attractive and economically viable.
Improvements in rural infrastructure and public services are not only enhancing the quality of life for farmers but also stimulating consumption. Demand for housing, home appliances, healthcare, and education in rural areas continues to grow, contributing significantly to domestic demand and economic stability.
The central document outlines four key tasks and two supporting measures, providing a clear roadmap for comprehensive rural revitalization. Sustained efforts to address rural development gaps, strengthen agriculture, beautify villages, and increase farmers' incomes will inject continuous momentum into economic growth and support the steady advancement of China's modernization.
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