President Xi Jinping emphasizes the importance of advancing rural revitalization and strengthening food security in China’s agricultural sector.
China has outlined its priorities for rural work in 2024 at the annual Central Rural Work Conference. President Xi Jinping stressed the need to build China into an agricultural powerhouse and advance rural revitalization across the country. The conference analyzed the current challenges facing the rural sector and mapped out key priorities for the coming year. With a focus on food security and technological advancements, China aims to strengthen its agricultural foundation and achieve modernization in rural areas.
Food Security Prioritized
At the forefront of China’s rural work in 2024 is the priority of ensuring food security. The country will focus on strengthening food security by increasing the area of farmland and grain yield. Efforts will be made to invigorate the seed industry and intensify research on core technologies. China has set a red line of no less than 1.8 billion mu (120 million hectares) for farmland, emphasizing the importance of maintaining agricultural land. The target for grain output in 2024 is set to stay above 1.3 trillion jin (650 billion kilograms). China has consistently achieved this target for the past nine years, with output reaching a record high of 1.39 trillion jin in 2023. To further enhance food security, China will build a diversified food supply system, focusing on agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishing.
Relying on Technology
President Xi Jinping highlighted the importance of strengthening the driving forces of science and technology in agricultural modernization. China aims to achieve breakthroughs in core technologies and improve the work mechanism for agriculture, rural areas, and farmers. To ensure food security, China will invest in modernized agricultural infrastructure and facilities, as well as technological advancements in the seed industry. This will accelerate China’s self-reliance in agricultural science and technology. Enhancing the resilience and stability of the food supply chain through technological advancements will be a key focus in rural work in 2024. Efforts will also be made to improve rural infrastructure and public services, increasing the efficiency of the agricultural sector.
All-Round Rural Revitalization
In addition to food security, the conference emphasized the need to promote rural industrial development, rural construction, and rural governance. The goal is to achieve substantive progress in rural revitalization across the board. President Xi Jinping highlighted the importance of addressing practical problems faced by farmers in advancing rural revitalization. To fully revitalize rural areas, it is crucial to support rural industries, develop industries with distinctive characteristics, and foster new industries and businesses that meet the demands of the local communities. The promotion of rural industry development is seen as the key to advancing rural revitalization.
Conclusion:
China’s priorities for rural work in 2024 focus on strengthening food security, relying on technological advancements, and promoting all-round rural revitalization. By ensuring the area of farmland, increasing grain yield, and building a diversified food supply system, China aims to secure its food security. The country will also invest in modernized agricultural infrastructure and facilities, as well as technological breakthroughs in the seed industry, to achieve self-reliance in agricultural science and technology. Additionally, efforts will be made to improve rural infrastructure and public services, while promoting rural industrial development and addressing the practical needs of farmers. Through these initiatives, China aims to become an agricultural powerhouse and revitalize its rural areas.
