China will pursue agricultural and rural modernization by leveraging science and technology alongside institutional reform, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a press conference in Beijing on advancing the 15th Five-Year Plan covering the 2026-2030 period, agriculture minister Zhang Zhu said that science and technology are the key tools and reform the crucial driver in building China into an agricultural powerhouse.
He stressed the need to advance both technological and institutional innovations collaboratively to foster new momentum and advantages for high-quality agricultural and rural development.
"China will strive for greater self-reliance in high-level agricultural science and technology, deepen the integration of technological and industrial innovation, and foster stronger synergy among high-standard farmland, improved seeds, advanced machinery and sound farming practices. The goal is to make new quality productive forces a new engine for modern agriculture," said the minister.
Zhang said priority will be given to land reforms, while protecting farmers' collective rights and putting rural resources to better use to truly benefit the agricultural industry and rural communities.
"The focus will remain on the relationship between farmers and land. China will continue to deepen key rural reforms, including pilot programs to extend land contracts by another 30 years upon the expiration of the second-round contracts. The efforts aim to consolidate the foundation of collective ownership, protect the rights of rural collective members, unlock the potential of rural resources and production factors, and improve the effectiveness of policies aimed at strengthening agriculture, benefiting farmers, and enriching rural areas," he said.
Earlier this year, the State Council, China's cabinet, issued a plan to accelerate agricultural and rural modernization during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
According to the plan, by 2030, the nation's food security will be continuously enhanced; the quality, efficiency and competitiveness of agriculture will be further improved; and the achievements of poverty alleviation will be consolidated and expanded.
It also aims to significantly enhance the nation's self-reliance and strength in agricultural science and technology, make major strides in transforming agriculture into a modern major industry, and continue to increase farmers' income at a relatively fast pace through 2030.
China to drive agricultural modernization through tech innovation, institutional reform: ministry
