China says it will harness new technologies to modernize the farming and agriculture industry. The State Council Information Office says internet plus services have been crucial towards integrated development. CGTN's Natalie Pang has more.  

Broadband access across China is at 96 percent, and even farmers are now harnessing new technologies for production and sales.

Farmers can collect and analyze data such as crop yield and weather conditions, and even conduct supervision remotely via their mobile phones.

The internet has contributed to the rapid development of rural e-commerce. By the end of 2017, online retail sales in rural areas hit over 1 trillion yuan, and created some 28 million jobs.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs says mobile phones should be a "new farming tool" in modern agricultural practices.

QU DONGYU DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS "Farmers can remotely manage their crops, as well as the diagnose animal and plant disease through their mobile phone easily. They can also learn more about the outside world, new technologies and the demand of market. So we should develop them as 'new farm tools' by organizing training sessions for mobile phone apps for farmers nationwide."

However, "Internet + agriculture" still faces a problem: sales to cities aren't as robust. 

That's why the ministry says it's necessary to ensure food quality and safety, as well as the standardization of agricultural products. Big data also helps in consolidating information.

The ministry also says revitalizing towns can also bring more opportunities.

QU DONGYU DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS "We've combined agriculture and tourism for some towns, relying on their characteristic industries and integrated development of agricultural sectors. We're trying to ensure full wifi coverage in these small towns, in order to promote their agricultural products to cities via the internet and logistics distribution."

The development of "Internet + agriculture" will continue, and officials are focusing on production, process flow, e-commerce and tourism. All that -- to achieve the final goal of rural revitalization. Natalie Pang, CGTN.