On 7 April, the Chinese State Council released the Plan for Accelerating the Construction of a Strong Agricultural Nation (2024–2035), outlining key strategies for transforming agriculture into a central pillar of national strength. The document emphasizes the importance of agriculture in the broader context of socialist modernization and stresses the need for agricultural and rural modernization to support China’s economic and social development.
The plan outlines several broad goals:
1. Strategic development
The plan seeks to ensure that agriculture becomes a key driver of high-quality growth, promoting rural revitalization, food security, and modernization by leveraging innovative technologies, rural policies, and infrastructure development.
2. Agricultural modernization
Key targets include increasing grain production capacity to 700 million tons by 2027, achieving breakthroughs in agricultural technologies, and enhancing mechanization.
3. Food security
The protection and improvement of arable land are emphasized, with a focus on maintaining 124 million hectares of farmland, including 103 million hectares of permanent basic farmland, which is specifically designated for staple crop production. It also stresses enhancing disaster prevention and agricultural water infrastructure.
4. Technological innovation
The plan emphasizes fostering independent innovation in agriculture, particularly in seed technology, machinery, and digital agriculture, to achieve self-reliance in agricultural technology and boost productivity. With limited potential for expanding farmland, technological advancements are expected to increase per-hectare yields, ensuring that China can meet its production targets.
5. Support for the rural economy
The plan focuses on building a modern rural industrial system that integrates agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fisheries. It supports the development of a diversified rural economy, including traditional industries like handcrafts and tourism.
6. Green development
Promoting environmentally friendly farming practices, such as reducing water usage, enhancing soil protection, and transitioning to a green, low-carbon agricultural model are highlighted in the plan.
7. Rural infrastructure
The plan promises significant investments in rural infrastructure, including roads, water, sanitation, and energy. It aims to improve public services like healthcare, education, and elderly care to ensure a high standard of living. While rural areas have seen considerable improvements in physical infrastructure in recent years, social services still trail significantly behind those in urban areas.
8. Agricultural industry upgrades
The plan emphasizes improving agricultural product processing, promoting rural e-commerce, and enhancing branding and market access for agricultural products. These measures are intended to generate more local value-added.
9. Rural social services
The plan calls for improved rural governance, social services, and public law systems, ensuring effective local administration, community health services, and social welfare.
10. Income and employment
Another key area addressed by the plan is income and employment. The plan aims at increasing rural income through diversified economic opportunities, skill training, and improving the rural labor market. The overall goal is to reduce the urban-rural income gap.
11. International cooperation
The plan aims at strengthening agricultural international competitiveness through trade and partnerships, while fostering agricultural innovation through global scientific cooperation.
12. Long-term vision
By 2035, the plan envisions a fully modernized agricultural system, well-developed rural infrastructure, and a significant reduction in the urban-rural divide, with the long-term goal of building a comprehensive agricultural nation by 2050.
Why this plan?
The overarching aim of this plan is to build an agriculturally strong nation that guarantees food security, promotes rural prosperity, and leverages modern technologies to enhance global competitiveness.
Full document
Central Committee of the Communist Party of China & State Council. (2025, April 7). 加快建设农业强国规划（2024－2035年） [Plan for accelerating the construction of a strong agricultural nation (2024–2035)]. China Government Network. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/202504/content_7017469.htm
