Roots of the Nation are going green

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A new agricultural revolution is in the making in China. After guaranteeing essential food security for all, China has now set itself a new target: striking a balance between demand and availability of resources.

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But what is to be done? How are we to realize the potential of these resources to transform our rivers, our mountains, into – to borrow President Xi Jinping’s memorable imagery – shimmering streams of silver and gleaming mountains of gold?

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Han Changfu, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, addressed these questions at a press conference in early March. Han told reporters that the central government set up a special fund to support local government efforts to promote sustainable development in the agriculture sector in 2017.

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When interviewed earlier in the documentary "Roots of the Nation," Minister Han also stressed the importance of sustainable agriculture in the nation’s modernization.

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"Roots of the Nation," a six-part series focusing on agriculture, raises the issues of sustainable agriculture, food security and scientific research. The film crew went across China to find out the latest developments in this field.

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In the Heilonggang area of north China’s Hebei Province, the farmers are leaving the land to lie fallow not only to ensure healthier farmland, but more importantly, to alleviate water shortages in the area.

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Dry with little rainfall, Hebei uses more underground water than any other provinces, accounting for one third of the country’s total. The government's timely decision aims to strike a balance between man and nature.

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But obviously, it’s not only the farmland that needs respite. The country’s efforts can also be seen in its water resources. Oftentimes, “less is more” is very true in sustainable agriculture.

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Determined to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks, the government imposed a fishing moratorium in the summer months across the Yellow Sea, East China Sea and South China Sea to allow the fish to breed. The fishermen have gained as a result.

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These are just some of the ongoing efforts made by the Chinese people to improve the environment and create an ecologically balanced agriculture sector. Find out more in "Roots of the Nation," which airs starting April 1 on CGTN Documentary.

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