Editor's note: Li Chunding is a professor at the School of Economics and Management at China Agricultural University. Zhou Yanni is a doctoral student at the School of Economics and Management at China Agricultural University. The article reflects the authors' opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

September 23 marks the sixth Farmers' Harvest Festival in China. 

A strong nation must prioritize its agriculture, and only with a strong agricultural foundation can a nation thrive. China is stepping up its efforts towards becoming an agricultural powerhouse. Against this backdrop, the Farmers' Harvest Festival will not only be about the celebration of China's agricultural abundance, but also the reflection and outlook on the nation's agricultural development.

China's agriculture strengthens

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, "three rural issues" has been addressed as a core task, namely agriculture, rural areas and rural people. China has set strategic goals such as promoting rural revitalization and building up China's strength in agriculture, clarifying the direction of the country's agricultural and rural development.

Under this policy guidance, China's agricultural modernization has made significant strides. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the average annual growth rate of agricultural output value from 2013 to 2021 hit 4.5 percent, and the rate of agricultural mechanization reached 73 percent in 2022.

Continuous innovation in agricultural production technologies, steady improvement in the quality of agricultural products, and the widespread application of agricultural mechanization and digitization, all fully demonstrate China's comprehensive agricultural strength and potential. These developments have not only significantly improved the efficiency of agricultural production, but also ensured the yield and quality of agricultural products.

China aims to build beautiful countryside

With the implementation of China's rural modernization strategy, the nation's countryside has undergone significant changes. Once backward and impoverished, the rural areas have now become beautiful and livable. Upgrades in rural infrastructure, such as roads, electricity, and communications, have significantly improved the living environment for rural residents.

Total fixed asset investment in rural highways across the country reached 473.3 billion yuan ($64.8 billion) in 2022, marking a year-on-year growth of 15.6 percent. Over the course of the year, more than 180,000 kilometers of rural roads were newly built or renovated, 10,589 hazardous rural bridges were refurbished, and safety projects were completed for 135,000 kilometers of rural highways.

At the same time, rural areas have made significant strides in culture and education. As rural education continues to improve, the quality of teaching staff in schools has been enhanced, and an increasing amount of high-quality educational resources are being directed towards the countryside. This provides rural residents with better educational opportunities and has cultivated a wealth of talent. Simultaneously, the proliferation of culture and technology has enabled rural residents to access information more effectively, receive a better education, and elevate their technological proficiency and cultural literacy.

Chinese farmers prosper

With the advancement of China's agricultural modernization, farmers' economic status and quality of life have significantly improved. As agricultural technology advances and the rural industrial structure optimizes, farmers no longer make their living solely by growing traditional crops. Instead, they have diversified their source of income by planting cash crops and participating in rural tourism and e-commerce. 

Taking Shuanglin Town in Nanxun District of Huzhou, Zhejiang Province as an example, the town has been actively developing leisure agriculture and is committed to building picturesque rural areas. They have adopted themes such as “One Village, One Product", "One Village, One Scenery", and "One Village, One Charm", successfully establishing a number of premium villages, towns, and lakes that epitomize the beauty of the countryside. As a result, it has been recognized as a provincial-level model town for its beautiful rural initiatives. To further tap into the potential of integrating agriculture with tourism, the local government has introduced a series of supportive policies, such as the development of rice-shrimp farming tourism complexes, and has successfully established multiple Grade-A tourist villages. These positive changes have not only increased their income but also improved their quality of life and consumption levels.

The sixth Farmers' Harvest Festival provides us with an opportunity to observe and evaluate the modernization process of China's agriculture, rural areas, and farmers. Guided by the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China's agriculture is steadily moving towards modernization, the rural landscape is rejuvenated, and the economic status and living standards of farmers have significantly improved.

This special day is a showcase of China's comprehensive agricultural strength, the beautiful and livable environment of the countryside, and the economic and cultural transformation of Chinese farmers. These achievements are the result of the joint efforts of the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups in the country. They lay a solid foundation for China's continued advancement in the modernization of agriculture and the realization of rural revitalization.