'No. 1 central document' charts roadmap for rural vitalization

Editor's note: Xin Ge, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a research fellow at the Institute of Public Policy and Governance, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE), and associate professor at the School of Public Economics and Administration, SUFE. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

On February 3, the State Council of China unveiled its highly anticipated "No. 1 central document" for 2024, reinstating its commitment to modernizing the country's rural areas and agricultural sector.

Considered the inaugural policy directive issued by China's central authority each year, the "No. 1 central document" serves as a pivotal indicator of policy priorities. The agricultural and rural agenda has consistently held prominence for 21 consecutive years since 2004.

To fully actualize rural revitalization, the nation is urged to "hold the bottom line of safeguarding national grain security and preventing a large-scale return to poverty; enhance rural industrial development, rural construction and rural governance; strengthen the role of sci-tech development and reform; and facilitate various means for rural residents to increase their incomes," reads the document, encompassing 28 policy measures in six sections. In my view, three specific areas within this document warrant particular attention.

Grain security as the ballast

As reiterated by Chinese President Xi Jinping on various occasions, "the Chinese people's rice bowl must be firmly held in their own hands, mainly filled with food produced in China. Ensuring the supply of primary products is a major strategic concern."

According to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the country's total grain output surpassed 695.41 million tons in 2023, marking a 1.3 percent year-on-year increase. This achievement marks the ninth consecutive year of exceeding 1.3 trillion jin (650 million tons) in grain harvest, establishing a robust foundation for expediting the development of a resilient agricultural sector. This not only supports the nation's pursuit of high-quality development but also contributes significantly to stabilizing the global food market and upholding food security.

In a bid to incentivize grain cultivation, the central government raised the minimum purchase prices for wheat and rice while enhancing grain subsidy policies for corn and soybean farmers in 2023. Consequently, China's grain planting area expanded to 1.785 billion mu (119 million hectares) in 2023, reflecting a 0.5 percent year-on-year increase.

Furthermore, in 2023, China's soybean production totaled 41.68 billion jin (205.43 million tons), up by 2.8 percent, highlighting the country's determination to increase its soybean self-sufficiency rate.

Preventing a large-scale return to poverty

In the pursuit of consolidating and expanding the accomplishments in poverty alleviation, the document underscores the imperative of averting a substantial resurgence of poverty. It calls for intensified efforts to expedite development in impoverished areas and narrow the gaps in income and development between affluent and less prosperous regions.

2024 marks the third year since the complete eradication of extreme poverty in our nation. Throughout 2023, the income growth rate for farmers in poverty-stricken areas consistently outpaced the national rural average, resulting in sustained enhancements in both production and living conditions for the impoverished population.

This year, as we ardently adhere to the commitment of preventing the resurgence of widespread poverty, additional governmental resources will be allocated to fortify the inherent developmental momentum of impoverished regions and their residents. These initiatives encompass vigilant monitoring and preventative measures against potential relapses into poverty; augmented support for industry and employment assistance; and heightened backing for critical areas in need, as detailed in the document.

Dual-drive of sci-tech and reform

The pivotal role of technology in propelling the development of agriculture and rural areas is evident. In March 2023, as part of the State Council's institutional restructuring to optimize the responsibilities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), the mantle of formulating plans and policies to advance agricultural and rural development, as well as guiding rural scientific and technological progress, shifted from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) to the MARA. Additionally, the China Rural Technology Development Center under the MST was also transferred to the MARA, underscoring our country's high regard for the advancement of agricultural science and technology.

At the forefront of sci-tech innovation lies an emphasis on application-oriented approaches, the optimization of work mechanisms, and a dedicated effort to enhance the overall efficiency of the agricultural sci-tech innovation system. Meanwhile, efforts are being made to strengthen the construction of high-standard farmland, expedite the revitalization of the seed industry, and elevate the research and application level of agricultural machinery and equipment.

The Central Rural Work Conference in December of last year emphasized the need to bolster rural reform and innovation, advocating for local exploration and institutional creativity while adhering to foundational principles. Core elements of this push for deeper rural reform include the cautious advancement of the pilot extension of the second round of land contracts for an additional 30 years after expiration, coupled with the promotion of new types of rural collective economies tailored to local conditions. Initiatives aimed at increasing farmers' income hinge on industry-driven, employment-led, and reform-centric strategies; and continually expanding avenues for farmers to bolster their earnings and achieve prosperity. This will enable them to share more in the dividends of reform and development.

We can be assured that the synergy between sci-tech and reform in rural areas is poised to provide a more robust and enduring impetus for the comprehensive rural revitalization.

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