China has constructed or upgraded a total of 460 million mu (about 30.67 million hectares) of high-standard farmland, supported by the funding of over 700 billion yuan (about 99.26 billion U.S. dollars) from the central government finance, during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
This large-scale initiative has significantly bolstered national food security, the ministry said.
High-standard farmland is characterized by well-leveled, contiguous plots with advanced irrigation, efficient water use and enhanced soil fertility. Designed to withstand both droughts and floods, it aligns with modern agricultural practices and features pollution-free soils and high yields.
Throughout the 14th Five-Year Plan period, local governments prioritized the construction of high-standard farmland in key regions, including the black soil region in northeast China, major plains, areas with established irrigation infrastructure, and zones with high grain output or strong production potential. Efforts were made to promote gradual transformation of eligible permanent basic farmland into high-standard farmland, according to ministry data.
Under the guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, local authorities have made great efforts in leveling field plots, upgrading irrigation and road networks, and enhancing soil quality, showed the data.
To ensure construction quality, the ministry has dispatched taskforces to carry out routine inspections as part of standardized oversight efforts.
Early results show that the upgraded farmland has significantly strengthened agricultural productivity and resilience. Previously fragmented or underperforming plots, once vulnerable to weather extremes and inconsistent yields, now benefit from integrated infrastructure, enabling reliable irrigation during droughts and effective drainage during floods.
In many regions, high-standard farmland now routinely achieves yields of 7.5 tons per hectare per crop growing season.
China builds, upgrades approx. 31 mln hectares of high-standard farmland over past five years: authorities
