Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) — During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China's countryside became more vibrant and prosperous, with grain production hitting a new record, agricultural modernization making progress, and rural communities becoming more livable.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, China's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Han Jun said the country's grain production exceeded 700 million tons for the first time last year, an increase of 37 million tons compared to 2020.
According to official data, this growth in grain production was made possible by improved agricultural infrastructure and the development of agricultural technologies.
In particular, China has created over 1 billion mu (66.7 million hectares) of high-quality farmland. Furthermore, technological progress has become a key factor in increasing grain yields, contributing 63.2 percent to the growth in grain production.
Zhang Xingwang, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, noted China's robust agricultural innovation network, which includes over 800 institutes and employs over 120,000 researchers. Additionally, approximately 400,000 grassroots technicians currently work year-round, providing new technologies directly to farmers.
The large-scale grain harvest in northern China will be in full swing in less than 20 days. According to Han Jun, the autumn grain harvest is in a favorable state, which, combined with stable summer grain production, creates strong conditions for a bumper harvest this year.
To ensure food security, China has also significantly increased domestic production capacity for critical crops such as soybeans and oilseeds. Last year, soybean production reached 20.65 million tonnes, increasing self-sufficiency by 4 percentage points compared to 2020. Oilseed production in 2024 increased to nearly 39.79 million tonnes, increasing self-sufficiency in edible vegetable oil by almost 5 percentage points.
MODERNIZATION IN THE FIELD
As reported at the press conference, rural industries flourished during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, contributing to China's efforts to modernize agriculture.
Large agricultural processing enterprises are estimated to have earned 18 trillion yuan (approximately $2.53 trillion) last year. Since 2021, 210 specialized industrial clusters have been established across the country, while e-commerce, rural tourism, and agritourism have experienced a boom during this period. Agritourism alone is expected to generate approximately 900 billion yuan in operating revenue nationwide in 2024.
Livestock and aquaculture also expanded during this period. Total meat, egg, and dairy production reached 175 million tonnes, an 18.8 percent increase over 2020. Annual per capita consumption of meat and eggs rose to 72 kg and 25 kg, respectively, exceeding the global average.
Aquaculture production in 2024 amounted to 73.58 million tonnes, an increase of 12.3% compared to 2020, allowing China to maintain its position as the world's leading aquaculture product producer for 36 consecutive years.
Zhang Xingwang also noted that agricultural practices are becoming more environmentally friendly. Water use for the country's agricultural sector has decreased by an average of 3.6 billion cubic meters per year, while fertilizer use has decreased by 5 percent, and pesticide use has declined by 1.5 percent compared to 2020 levels.
A MORE LIVABLE RURAL AREA
According to the report, living conditions in rural areas became noticeably more comfortable and interconnected between 2021 and 2025. Water, electricity, road, gas, and digital service infrastructure improved throughout rural areas.
China's rural highway network now exceeds 4.64 million kilometers, and tap water coverage in rural areas has reached 94 percent. Over 90 percent of administrative villages have access to a 5G network, while parcel delivery networks in rural areas are expanding, allowing residents to send and receive parcels close to home.
Public services in rural China have also advanced. More than 140,000 mutual-aid elderly care facilities and 16,000 rural nursing homes have been established.
The average disposable income of rural residents rose to 23,119 yuan last year, while the urban-rural income ratio narrowed to 2.34:1 from 2.56:1 in 2020. "There is a clear trend of narrowing the gap," Han Jun said.
Looking ahead to the next five years, Han Jun confidently stated that the foundation for agricultural and rural development will be even more solid and the prospects even brighter, along with new progress in promoting comprehensive rural revitalization and building up China's strength in agriculture. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
.