Interpreting China's central rural work conference's focus on agricultural development

Editor's note:  Li Chunding is the director and professor of the Economics and Trade Department of China Agricultural University. Xing Zelei is a PhD student at the College of Economics and Management at China Agricultural University. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN. It has been translated from Chinese and edited for brevity and clarity.

China's annual central rural work conference was held in Beijing from Tuesday to Wednesday. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the conference comprehensively implemented the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the second plenary session of its 20th Central Committee. It also deeply implemented important expositions on work related to agriculture, rural areas and rural people (referred to as "the three rural issues"), as expounded by Xi, the Chinese president and general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. The conference, in line with the recently held central economic work conference, also analyzed the current developments and challenges facing the "three rural issues" and work plans for 2024.

This conference was not only about the comprehensive deployment of work on the "three rural issues" but also a profound elaboration of the country's strategy for building a strong agricultural nation. Against the backdrop of the new era, the conference highlighted the importance of agriculture as the foundation of a socialist modernization powerhouse and its critical role in satisfying the people's needs for a better life, achieving high-quality development and consolidating the foundation for national security.

Importance of agricultural modernization: Xi emphasized that despite facing severe natural disasters and other challenges in 2023, China's grain production still reached a historic high, demonstrating the effectiveness of agricultural modernization. His instructions not only highlighted the achievements of agricultural modernization but also stressed the necessity of advancing Chinese-style modernization. In this process, steadfastly consolidating the agricultural base and promoting the comprehensive revitalization of rural areas were seen as core tasks.

Strategies for comprehensive rural revitalization: The strategy for comprehensive rural revitalization was given new connotations at the conference. Xi pointed out that promoting comprehensive rural revitalization is the key to the new era and new journey's work on the "three rural issues." This includes learning and applying the experiences from the "1,000 demonstration villages and 10,000 renovation villages" projects, adopting policies suited to local conditions, categorizing strategies, proceeding in an orderly manner with long-term efforts, and focusing on accomplishing a series of tangible results that are perceptible and beneficial to the masses. The emphasis was on the close connection between agricultural and rural development, as well as on the improvement of farmers' welfare.

Grain security and high-standard farmland construction: Food security is a vital component of national security, and the conference particularly emphasized the comprehensive implementation of the Party and government's shared responsibility for grain security. The meeting proposed a dual strategy of stabilizing grain sowing areas and increasing per-unit yield, and underscored the importance of farmland protection and the construction of high-standard farmlands. This approach is not only key to ensuring grain security but also crucial in enhancing agricultural production efficiency and quality.

Technological innovation and “three rural issues” reform: Technological innovation and reform are the two main drivers for enhancing agricultural competitiveness. The conference suggested intensifying efforts in core technological breakthroughs and reforming and improving the work system and mechanisms for the “three rural issues,” injecting dynamism and vitality into agricultural modernization. This includes supporting the construction of agricultural technology innovation platforms, accelerating the revitalization of the seed industry, and implementing disaster prevention, mitigation and relief measures.

Agricultural diversification and rural industrial development: Agriculture is not merely limited to grain production. The conference advocated for establishing a broader perspective on agriculture and food, promoting the concurrent development of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery, as well as constructing a diversified food supply system. At the same time, it emphasized elevating the level of rural industrial development, precisely cultivating rural industries, perfecting the mechanisms linking agriculture and industry and implementing initiatives to increase farmers' income.

The profound insights and strategic deployments of the central rural work conference have provided a clear roadmap for the construction of a strong agricultural nation in China. Agriculture, as the cornerstone of the national economy, not only directly determines food security and the basic living needs of the people but also plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, promoting social stability and sustaining development. As China strides towards high-quality development, the modernization of agriculture has become a significant driving force for comprehensive economic and social progress.

In fulfilling the people's aspirations for a better life, the establishment of a strong agricultural nation signifies a more abundant, safe, and healthy food supply, along with the comprehensive revitalization of rural areas. This concerns not just the dining tables of every Chinese person but also relates to the enhancement of national health and quality of life. Furthermore, the development and innovation in agriculture, such as progress in agricultural technology and optimization of agricultural production methods, will greatly improve agricultural efficiency and achieve sustainable resource utilization, thereby advancing the high-quality development of the country's socio-economy.

In summary, the construction of an agricultural powerhouse is not only the foundation of China's socialist modernization but also a vital part of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the Chinese Dream. On the path of future development, agriculture will continue to play its irreplaceable and significant role, continuously contributing to the prosperity of the country and the well-being of the people.