Editor's note: Liu Chunsheng is an associate professor at the Beijing-based Central University of Finance and Economics, and deputy dean of Blue Source Capital Research Institute. The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

In June 2018, China's State Council announced the establishment of the Farmers' Harvest Festival, an annual celebration of Chinese farmers, on Sept. 23 this year. It is the first festival in China created solely for farmers. The high-standard courtesy highlights the country's special emphasis on the work of "agriculture, rural areas and farmers."

Agriculture has played a key role in China's economic and social development. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, even though the country's agricultural population is declining, there are still 580 million of them, which is the largest in the world.

The Chinese government has attached importance to the issue of agriculture, rural areas and farmers, which form a solid basis for national stability. At present, China has entered a decisive stage of building a moderately prosperous society. Great opportunities and serious challenges both exist in the development of agriculture, rural areas and farmers.

In the past few decades, China's agricultural and rural economic development has resulted in brilliant achievements. Food production has been growing and the supply of meat, poultry, eggs, milk and aquatic products are in sufficient demand. Food security is guaranteed. The incomes of farmers continue to increase, agriculture is modernizing and new modes of agricultural industries are booming.

China's tremendous progress in agricultural development lies in the government's emphasis on the issues of agriculture, rural areas and farmers. As a populous country, China regards food security as an important strategic basis for national security, while using diverse natural conditions to strengthen the cultivation of economic crops.

Secondly, the Chinese government has vigorously promoted agricultural modernization. In recent years, the contribution rate of agricultural science and technology has continuously increased, the ability of innovation has been significantly enhanced, the comprehensive mechanization of major crop cultivation and harvesting has further improved, and the agricultural informatization has developed rapidly.

Furthermore, great importance has been attached to the opening up of agriculture. China is a major trading country of international agricultural products. Furthermore, international cooperation in agriculture has reached a new stage.

Nowadays, with the rapid development of urbanization, farmers still account for a large proportion of China's population. Chinese farmers have made significant contributions in various historical periods in the areas of revolution, construction, and reform.

In the crucial period of poverty alleviation, the decisive stage of building a well-off society in all aspects, and the beginning of the implementation of the rural revitalization strategy, the establishment of the Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival aims to arouse the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of farmers and improve their sense of honor, happiness and achievement.

Moreover, China is an ancient country with a history of 5,000 years of civilization and a tradition of farming. The foundation of Chinese culture is the farming civilization created and passed down by farmers.

The date of the festival, Sept. 23, or the autumnal equinox, is one of the solar terms that China traditionally uses to keep track of seasonal changes. Autumnal equinox means the official start of autumn and the day for the farmer's harvest. In a way, this festival is also a celebration of the wisdom of ancient Chinese farmers and respect for tradition. The establishment of the "Chinese Farmers Harvest Festival" will be conducive to inheriting and passing on the country's traditional rural culture.

The Festival also allows us to face up to the problems in agriculture and rural development.

First, the agricultural infrastructure is backward and cannot meet the requirements of the large-scale, mechanized and informatized development of agriculture.

Secondly, the social security system for farmers including education, medical care, and pension is still underdeveloped.

Thirdly, the agricultural productivity and the international competitiveness of agricultural products are insufficient. The Chinese government needs to further strengthen the investment, improve the technology of agriculture and the quality of farmers, build a new type of agricultural management system, promote the agricultural support and protection and strengthen the construction of agricultural ecological civilization.

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