China makes breakthrough in grain output in 2021-2025 period: minister

China has made a breakthrough in grain output and better ensured its food security during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), said Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Han Jun on Tuesday.

Han made the remarks at a press conference hosted by the State Council Information Office on the achievements in agricultural and rural development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

"China has better ensured that food supply remains firmly in its own hands for its 1.4 billion people (during the 14th Five-Year Plan period). The country's grain output has reached a new level during the period, with the total grain output exceeding 1.4 trillion jin (700 million tonnes) for the first time in 2024, an increase of 74 billion jin (37 million tonnes) from 2020. Now China's per capita share of grain has reached 500 kilograms, and our country has achieved basic self-sufficiency in cereal grains and absolute grain security, which fully guarantees national food security," said Han.

According to official data, the rise in production has been underpinned by improvements in farmland infrastructure and agricultural technology.

China has developed more than one billion mu (66.7 million hectares) of high-standard farmland. Meanwhile, sci-tech advancement has become a key driver for grain harvest, with its contribution rate rising to 63.2 percent.

Meanwhile, farmers' incomes have grown at a robust pace since 2021, with rural per capita disposable income reaching 23,119 yuan (about 3,255 U.S. dollars) in 2024, according to the press conference.

China's 2024 grain output hit a record high of 706.5 million tonnes, an increase of 1.6 percent from 2023, official data showed.

Before 2024, the country's annual grain output had been above 650 million tonnes for nine consecutive years, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

In grain categories, the output of cereals rose 1.7 percent year on year, with rice, wheat and corn all reporting production rises. The output of tubers rose 1.5 percent, the data showed.

Last year's bumper harvest was accompanied by a rise in grain planting areas in the country, which stood at over 119 million hectares, up 0.3 percent year on year. Meanwhile, grain output per unit area also increased 1.3 percent, the data showed.

China makes breakthrough in grain output in 2021-2025 period: minister

In his new year's call to world leaders, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged world leaders to get "priorities straight" and invest in development, not destruction.

"As we enter the new year, the world stands at a crossroads. Chaos and uncertainty surround us. Division. Violence. Climate breakdown. And systemic violations of international law. A retreat from the very principles that bind us together as a human family. People everywhere are asking: Are leaders even listening? Are they ready to act?" Guterres said in his New Year message for 2026.

The scale of global suffering remains severe. More than one-quarter of humanity lives in conflict-affected areas, over 200 million people require humanitarian assistance, and nearly 120 million have been forcibly displaced by war, crises, disasters or persecution, according to UN statistics.

"As we turn the page on a turbulent year, one fact speaks louder than words: Global military spending has soared to 2.7 trillion dollars, growing by almost 10 percent. That is thirteen times more than all development aid, equivalent to the entire Gross Domestic Product of Africa. All, while conflict rages at levels unseen since World War II. On this new year, let's resolve to get our priorities straight. A safer world begins by investing more in fighting poverty and less in fighting wars," said the UN chief.

A UN report released in September 2025 showed that rising military spending comes at a high opportunity cost, noting that less than 4 percent of current global military expenditure could end world hunger by 2030, just over 10 percent could vaccinate every child worldwide, and reallocating 15 percent would be sufficient to cover annual climate adaptation costs in developing countries.

"Peace must prevail. It's clear the world has the resources to lift lives, heal the planet, and secure a future of peace and justice. In 2026, I call on leaders everywhere: Get serious. Choose people and planet over pain. And I urge everyone who hears this message: Play your part. Our future depends on our collective courage to act. This new year, let‘’s rise together: For justice. For humanity. For peace," he said.

UN chief issues New Year's call to world leaders for peace, development