After the new reforms relating to governmental institutions were put in place, it was announced that the new Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs would replace the Ministry of Agriculture, taking over all existing responsibilities and merging them with related tasks and programs from other ministries.

These include, offices overseeing agricultural investment, comprehensive agricultural development, farmland regulation, and irrigation and water conservancy.

Zhang Donghe, the general secretary of Dajidian Village Party Branch of Baoding City in Hebei Province, believes this integration will boost efficiency allowing for better coordination within one ministry.

“In order to deal with one issue, in the past we had to go to multiple ministries, but now, we only need to go to one ministry, to get the job done,” he said.

The reform will also see the Ministry of Transport take on the current Ministry of Agriculture’s duties of fishing vessel inspection, supervision and management.

“Affairs related to fishing vessels are quite irrelevant to agriculture. Without this under its purview, the ministry can be better dedicated towards developing agriculture and rural areas.”

During the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which convened in October last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged a rural revitalization strategy. He reiterated that issues relating to agriculture, rural areas and the people there are fundamental to the nation, as they directly concern the country’s stability and the people’s wellbeing. To address these issues, the Party must prioritize the development of agriculture and rural areas.

NPC Deputy, Zhou Songbo, who has been a doctor in rural areas for more than 30 years, believes the creation of the new ministry is a response to the shift in China’s policy.

“The Ministry of Agriculture used to be primarily concerned with grain production. But the problem of grain supply has basically been resolved. The key focus now is the rural revitalization strategy emphasizing economic industries in rural areas, which will help poverty alleviation and enhance farmers’ income,” said Zhou Songbo, a doctor at Diaosi Village Clinic in Zhuozhou City of Hebei Province.

 NPC deputies believe the establishment of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will be an effective boost to implementing China’s new Rural Revitalization Strategy.