"Contemporary Agriculture Fuels Rural Revitalization Efforts in China"
China is venturing into a new approach for agricultural development, a commendable initiative that serves the interests of both current and future generations around the globe.
TroibNews 
Editor's note: Li Zhi is the assistant dean of the China Institute of Development Planning, Tsinghua University. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CN.
Agricultural modernization is a critical element of China's overarching modernization efforts. Data indicates that in 2024, China's grain output reached a historic high of 700 million tonnes for the first time. The contribution of science and technology to agriculture exceeded 63 percent, and the advancement of full-process agricultural mechanization achieved new heights. Furthermore, during the initial three quarters of 2024, the per capita disposable income of rural residents was recorded at 16,740 yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of 6.6 percent. This underscores the significant advantages that modernized agriculture has provided for China.
Two key aspects of agricultural modernization warrant emphasis: quantity and quality.
From a quantitative standpoint, it's vital for agricultural modernization to ensure the security of cultivated land and the supply of essential agricultural products, alongside achieving an optimized and balanced quantity structure. The focus on agricultural products is not solely on abundance; rather, there must be a rational configuration of varieties. Current observations reveal considerable waste of agricultural products within China's agricultural sector. Modernized agriculture should aim to optimize the product structure to ensure that every grain produced serves its intended purpose and value.
From a qualitative perspective, the significance of agricultural quality modernization cannot be overstated. Achieving high agricultural output should not come at the cost of degrading soil quality, contributing to pesticide pollution, or overusing fertilizers. A strong commitment to land and product safety is essential to guarantee the quality of agricultural products and enhance dietary safety for residents. This is critical for the broader framework of high-quality development in the country, as the quality of life for people fundamentally revolves around the concept of "eating with reassurance."
Moreover, several issues must be addressed for the effective development of modernized agriculture.
Firstly, the economic dimension of agriculture must be prioritized. It is crucial for China to ensure that farmers do not face impoverishment as they expand their farming activities. Rational allocation of agricultural production factors is necessary so that agricultural workers can genuinely benefit from their endeavors. This is imperative for unlocking rural consumption potential. There should be robust institutional frameworks to facilitate capital investment in agricultural production, advance land usage management reforms, encourage private enterprise involvement in agricultural investment, and increase profit margins within agriculture.
Secondly, it is essential to carefully consider the balance between land use and urban planning. China must ensure there is no decline in either the total amount or quality of cultivated land. Efforts should be made to end the "non-agricultural" and "non-grain" use of cultivated land, with a focus on food production. However, big data and artificial intelligence tools should be utilized for effective territorial space planning to create sensible land and forest usage strategies. Flexibility is necessary, and ample urban space should be set aside for future high-quality agricultural development. Various urban spaces can also facilitate the development of vertical agriculture. Technologies such as fruit and vegetable factories and soilless cultivation can significantly enhance agricultural quality.
Thirdly, the interplay between agriculture and environmental ecology demands careful balancing, particularly concerning carbon emissions. Contrary to common assumptions, agriculture, and notably animal husbandry, are significant contributors to carbon emissions. Therefore, it is crucial to find a balance between emissions and agricultural practices. For example, the agricultural potential of solar power plants or wind farms could be explored, alongside hydropower systems to enhance irrigation solutions.
Fourthly, the application of artificial intelligence should be leveraged to boost agricultural production efficiency. The current advancements in smart agriculture are promising. Techniques such as visual recognition can enhance harvesting efficiency, optimize harvesting timelines, predict soil moisture levels, and facilitate the selection of superior breeding and cultivation methods. These areas represent significant opportunities for technological expansion in agricultural modernization.
Fifthly, there should be a focus on strengthening international agricultural cooperation. China's agricultural progress requires external support, and its experiences can provide valuable lessons for other nations. For instance, the large-scale mechanized farming strategies of the United States could be applied to northern China's expansive plains, while China's diverse small-scale and meticulous farming strategies hold appeal for numerous developing countries.
In summary, China's national landscape is extraordinarily intricate, with agriculture serving as a vital lifeline for the nation. As changes occur in the population dynamics between agricultural and non-agricultural sectors, constraints related to space, land, and environmental factors will intensify. China is charting a new course for agricultural development, a commendable pursuit that holds promise for present and future generations globally.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
Agricultural modernization is a critical element of China's overarching modernization efforts. Data indicates that in 2024, China's grain output reached a historic high of 700 million tonnes for the first time. The contribution of science and technology to agriculture exceeded 63 percent, and the advancement of full-process agricultural mechanization achieved new heights. Furthermore, during the initial three quarters of 2024, the per capita disposable income of rural residents was recorded at 16,740 yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of 6.6 percent. This underscores the significant advantages that modernized agriculture has provided for China.
Two key aspects of agricultural modernization warrant emphasis: quantity and quality.
From a quantitative standpoint, it's vital for agricultural modernization to ensure the security of cultivated land and the supply of essential agricultural products, alongside achieving an optimized and balanced quantity structure. The focus on agricultural products is not solely on abundance; rather, there must be a rational configuration of varieties. Current observations reveal considerable waste of agricultural products within China's agricultural sector. Modernized agriculture should aim to optimize the product structure to ensure that every grain produced serves its intended purpose and value.
From a qualitative perspective, the significance of agricultural quality modernization cannot be overstated. Achieving high agricultural output should not come at the cost of degrading soil quality, contributing to pesticide pollution, or overusing fertilizers. A strong commitment to land and product safety is essential to guarantee the quality of agricultural products and enhance dietary safety for residents. This is critical for the broader framework of high-quality development in the country, as the quality of life for people fundamentally revolves around the concept of "eating with reassurance."
Moreover, several issues must be addressed for the effective development of modernized agriculture.
Firstly, the economic dimension of agriculture must be prioritized. It is crucial for China to ensure that farmers do not face impoverishment as they expand their farming activities. Rational allocation of agricultural production factors is necessary so that agricultural workers can genuinely benefit from their endeavors. This is imperative for unlocking rural consumption potential. There should be robust institutional frameworks to facilitate capital investment in agricultural production, advance land usage management reforms, encourage private enterprise involvement in agricultural investment, and increase profit margins within agriculture.
Secondly, it is essential to carefully consider the balance between land use and urban planning. China must ensure there is no decline in either the total amount or quality of cultivated land. Efforts should be made to end the "non-agricultural" and "non-grain" use of cultivated land, with a focus on food production. However, big data and artificial intelligence tools should be utilized for effective territorial space planning to create sensible land and forest usage strategies. Flexibility is necessary, and ample urban space should be set aside for future high-quality agricultural development. Various urban spaces can also facilitate the development of vertical agriculture. Technologies such as fruit and vegetable factories and soilless cultivation can significantly enhance agricultural quality.
Thirdly, the interplay between agriculture and environmental ecology demands careful balancing, particularly concerning carbon emissions. Contrary to common assumptions, agriculture, and notably animal husbandry, are significant contributors to carbon emissions. Therefore, it is crucial to find a balance between emissions and agricultural practices. For example, the agricultural potential of solar power plants or wind farms could be explored, alongside hydropower systems to enhance irrigation solutions.
Fourthly, the application of artificial intelligence should be leveraged to boost agricultural production efficiency. The current advancements in smart agriculture are promising. Techniques such as visual recognition can enhance harvesting efficiency, optimize harvesting timelines, predict soil moisture levels, and facilitate the selection of superior breeding and cultivation methods. These areas represent significant opportunities for technological expansion in agricultural modernization.
Fifthly, there should be a focus on strengthening international agricultural cooperation. China's agricultural progress requires external support, and its experiences can provide valuable lessons for other nations. For instance, the large-scale mechanized farming strategies of the United States could be applied to northern China's expansive plains, while China's diverse small-scale and meticulous farming strategies hold appeal for numerous developing countries.
In summary, China's national landscape is extraordinarily intricate, with agriculture serving as a vital lifeline for the nation. As changes occur in the population dynamics between agricultural and non-agricultural sectors, constraints related to space, land, and environmental factors will intensify. China is charting a new course for agricultural development, a commendable pursuit that holds promise for present and future generations globally.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
