China sees steady gains in agriculture and rural revitalization

China has made steady and positive progress in agriculture and rural development, successfully concluding the goals of its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), officials said at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on Wednesday.

Han Wenxiu, deputy director of the Office of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission and director of the Office of the Central Rural Work Leading Group, said China has further consolidated its food security foundation while advancing rural revitalization in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.

China's grain output has remained above 1.4 trillion jin (700 million tonnes) for two consecutive years, reaching a record high of 1.43 trillion jin in 2025. Both total output and yield per unit area hit historic highs. Soybean production has stayed above 20 million tonnes for four straight years, while total meat production surpassed 100 million tonnes for the first time, significantly strengthening the supply of key agricultural products.

Farmers' incomes have continued to rise, with per capita disposable income in rural areas reaching 24,456 yuan (about $3,525) in 2025, an inflation-adjusted increase of six percent year on year. The urban-rural income ratio narrowed from 2.56:1 in 2020 to 2.31:1, reflecting sustained progress in improving living standards in rural areas.

Zhu Weidong, deputy director of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission and deputy director of the Office of the Central Rural Work Leading Group, said boosting farmers' incomes is a central focus of the country's policy agenda. Developing county-level industries tailored to local conditions is seen as a crucial pathway.

"Thriving industries form the material foundation of rural revitalization and a key channel for increasing farmers' incomes," Zhu said. He noted that local governments are encouraged to leverage distinctive local resources to develop diversified county economies, while avoiding homogeneous and inefficient competition through better planning and coordination. Efforts will also be made to extend industrial and value chains and promote integrated development.

Han also highlighted key priorities outlined in this year's No. 1 Central Document, China's top policy guideline for agriculture and rural affairs. The document emphasizes safeguarding national food security by advancing production capacity, ecological sustainability, and income growth simultaneously. Major tasks include stabilizing grain production, enhancing agricultural capacity, and strengthening disaster prevention and mitigation.

The No. 1 Central Document also sets out concrete arrangements for implementing regular, targeted assistance to prevent a return to poverty. Han said supporting policies are being formulated and will be introduced in a timely manner. Key measures include dynamic management of assistance recipients, more precise and efficient support methods, differentiated measures across regions, and overall policy stability.

Officials said China will continue to prioritize food security, farmers' income growth and industrial development as it advances agricultural modernization and rural revitalization, laying a solid foundation for the country's broader modernization drive.