Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the CPC Central Committee with the Supreme Leader as the core has insisted on solving the "three rural issues" as the top priority of the whole party’s work, insisted on giving priority to the development of agriculture and rural areas, never slackened its efforts to do a good job in grain production, actively promoted the structural reform of the agricultural supply side, and thoroughly implemented the rural revitalization strategy. The sustained and steady growth of agricultural economy, abundant supply of major agricultural products, outstanding achievements in agricultural infrastructure construction, and remarkable improvement in rural appearance and living environment have played a "ballast stone" role in promoting healthy economic and social development.
First, the agricultural economy is stable and the basic position is more stable.
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council have continuously issued a series of policies to support agriculture and benefit farmers. All localities and departments have conscientiously implemented the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on the work concerning agriculture, rural areas and farmers. Agricultural economic activities have been increasing, the total output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery has been increasing, the industrial structure has been further optimized, and the basic role of agriculture has been brought into full play.
(A) the total output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery continued to grow, and the agricultural economy progressed steadily.
In 2021, the total output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery was 14,701.3 billion yuan [1], an increase of 6,067.1 billion yuan over 2012, with an average annual growth rate of 4.2% from 2013 to 2021 [2]. In terms of industries, all industries of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery maintained steady growth, among which the agricultural output value increased the most, and the professional and auxiliary activities of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery grew the fastest. In 2021, the agricultural output value was 7,834 billion yuan, an increase of 3,349.4 billion yuan over 2012, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5% from 2013 to 2021; The output value of forestry was 650.8 billion yuan, an increase of 310.1 billion yuan, with an average annual growth rate of 6.1%; The output value of animal husbandry was 3,991.1 billion yuan, an increase of 1,342 billion yuan, with an average annual growth rate of 2.7%; The fishery output value was 1,450.7 billion yuan, an increase of 610.3 billion yuan, with an average annual growth rate of 3.4%; The output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery professional and auxiliary activities was 774.8 billion yuan, an increase of 455.4 billion yuan, with an average annual growth rate of 7.8%.
(B) continuous optimization of the industrial structure of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery, and more balanced and coordinated development.
While the total amount of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery continues to grow, with the change of agricultural production mode, the industrial structure of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery is constantly adjusted, and economic activities such as forestry and fishery are constantly increasing, especially the professional and auxiliary activities of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery are greatly increased, and the industrial structure is further optimized. In 2021, the agricultural output value accounted for 53.3% of the total output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery [3], an increase of 1.4 percentage points over 2012; Forestry output value accounted for 4.4%, an increase of 0.5 percentage points; The output value of animal husbandry accounted for 27.1%, down by 3.6 percentage points; The fishery output value accounted for 9.9%, an increase of 0.2 percentage points; The output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery specialty and auxiliary activities accounted for 5.3%, an increase of 1.6 percentage points.
(C) the steady development of agriculture and related industries, give full play to the basic role.
Agriculture is the basic industry of national economy, which not only provides rich and varied agricultural products necessary for people’s daily life, but also provides many raw materials for the development of secondary and tertiary industries. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China’s agricultural production has developed steadily, the integration of primary and secondary industries represented by agricultural product processing industry has been accelerated, the integration of primary and tertiary industries represented by farmhouse music and pastoral complexes has been deepened, the scale of agriculture and related industries [4] has been growing, and the added value of agriculture and related industries has remained more than twice that of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery, which has led to the continuous expansion of agricultural economy, increasing its proportion in GDP and giving full play to the basic role of agriculture. In 2021, the operating income of agricultural and sideline food processing industries above designated size reached 5,410.8 billion yuan, an increase of 196.2 billion yuan over 2012 [5], with an average annual growth rate of 0.4% from 2013 to 2021. In 2020, the added value of agriculture and related industries nationwide reached 16.69 trillion yuan, an increase of 2.098 billion yuan over 2018, with an average annual growth rate of 6.9%; The proportion of gross domestic product (GDP) was 16.5%, an increase of 0.6 percentage points over 2018.
Second, the level of food security has improved, and China’s rice bowl has become more stable
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the state has attached great importance to food security, increased its support for food production, continued to implement the minimum purchase price policy for rice and wheat, implemented subsidies for corn and soybean producers in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and three northeastern provinces, implemented the soybean revitalization plan, and implemented a series of policies and measures such as the joint responsibility of the party and the government for food security. China’s grain production has been stable and high, with the per capita grain output continuing to be above 450 kg, and the grain stocks are sufficient. China rice bowls are not only more stable, but also have a better color.
(A) policies and measures to ensure strong, grain output to a new level.
In 2012, China’s grain output reached 1.2 trillion Jin for the first time. With the strong support of policies, China’s grain production continued to grow on the basis of the previous high level. Since 2015, China’s grain output has exceeded 1.3 trillion Jin for seven consecutive years. In 2021, China’s grain output reached 1,365.7 billion Jin, the highest level in history, an increase of 141.2 billion Jin over 2012, with an average annual growth of 1.2% from 2013 to 2021. Among them, the grain output was 1,265.5 billion Jin, an increase of 132.3 billion Jin, with an average annual increase of 1.2%; The output of beans was 39.3 billion Jin, an increase of 5.7 billion Jin, with an average annual increase of 1.8%; The output of potatoes was 60.9 billion Jin, an increase of 3.2 billion Jin, with an average annual growth rate of 0.6%. In terms of varieties, the output of major grain varieties has increased to varying degrees, including 425.7 billion Jin of rice, an increase of 12.6 billion Jin over 2012, with an average annual increase of 0.3% from 2013 to 2021; Wheat was 273.9 billion Jin, an increase of 28.9 billion Jin, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%; 545.1 billion Jin of corn, an increase of 86 billion Jin, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%; Soybean was 32.8 billion Jin, an increase of 5.9 billion Jin, with an average annual growth rate of 2.2%.
(2) The per capita possession has steadily increased, and the quality of rice bowls in Chinese is more adequate.
The per capita grain possession [6] is an important index to measure the grain supply situation of a country or region. It is generally believed that the per capita grain possession of more than 400 kilograms represents the food security of the country or region internationally. As China’s grain output continues to climb to a new level, the per capita grain output continues to increase. Since 2012, the per capita grain output has remained above 450 kg. In 2021, the per capita grain output reached 483.5 kg, an increase of 31.4 kg over 2012, with an average annual growth of 0.7% from 2013 to 2021. Even without considering imports and abundant stocks, the per capita grain output has far exceeded the internationally recognized food safety line. China’s rice bowl is not only firmly in its own hands, but also mainly filled with China’s grain.
(C) adequate food stocks, granaries in big countries have a stronger foundation.
Adequate food stocks are the key to ensure the stable operation of food prices and other important materials, and are a strong guarantee for China’s food security. FAO believes that the stock consumption ratio of 17% is a warning line for food security. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, with the continuous growth of China’s grain output, China’s grain stocks have been increasing, especially the stocks of ration crops such as rice and wheat have remained at a high level. According to estimates, the current consumption ratio of grain stocks in China exceeds 50%, and the consumption of rice and wheat stocks exceeds one year, which far exceeds the food security warning line of FAO. Abundant grain stocks have effectively guaranteed national food security and laid a solid foundation for effectively coping with various risk challenges at home and abroad and ensuring stable and healthy economic and social development.
Third, the supply of major agricultural products is more abundant, and the residents’ dining tables are more abundant.
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, with the continuous improvement of people’s living standards, people should not only eat well, but also eat better. In order to meet the diversified food consumption needs of urban and rural residents, while ensuring food production, the state also pays attention to developing other agricultural production. The output of major cash crops such as vegetables, melons and fruits has increased steadily, the market supply of meat, poultry, eggs, milk and fishery products is sufficient, the dining tables of residents are more abundant, and the quality of life has improved significantly.
(1) The output of major cash crops has grown steadily, and the market supply is abundant.
Vegetables, melons and fruits are the main sources of vitamins for urban and rural residents, and they are an indispensable part of residents’ daily life. Since 2012, the consumption of vegetables and fruits by urban and rural residents has been increasing. Driven by the increase in consumption, the national output of vegetables and fruits has been increasing. In 2021, the national output of vegetables and edible fungi reached 775.49 million tons, an increase of 159.24 million tons compared with 2012, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6% from 2013 to 2021; The fruit output was 299.7 million tons [7], an increase of 78.79 million tons, with an average annual increase of 3.4%; Oil production was 36.13 million tons, an increase of 3.28 million tons, with an average annual increase of 1.1%. The steady growth in the output of major cash crops has enriched residents’ food baskets, fruit plates and oil bottles, greatly enriching the material life of urban and rural residents.
(2) The production capacity of animal husbandry has been continuously enhanced, and the output of meat, eggs and milk has increased steadily.
Animal food is an important source of protein and fat for urban and rural residents, and its consumption generally increases with the increase of residents’ income. Since 2012, driven by strong consumer demand, the output of meat, poultry, eggs and milk in China has been increasing, and the structure has been continuously optimized, effectively meeting the diverse consumer needs of residents. In 2021, the national total meat output reached 89.9 million tons, an increase of 5.19 million tons compared with 2012, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7% from 2013 to 2021. The livestock production structure has been continuously adjusted, the proportion of pork has decreased, and the proportion of other meat products such as cattle, sheep and poultry has continued to increase. In 2021, the proportion of pork production in total meat production dropped to 58.9%, a decrease of 5.4 percentage points compared with 2012; The output of other meats such as cattle, sheep and poultry increased to 41.1%. The output of poultry eggs has been ranked first in the world for many years. In 2021, the output of poultry eggs reached 34.09 million tons, an increase of 5.23 million tons over 2012, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. Milk production continued to increase. In 2021, milk production reached 37.78 million tons, an increase of 4.71 million tons compared with 2012, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%.
(3) The fishery production situation is good and the production structure is continuously adjusted and optimized.
Aquatic products are an important source of animal protein, an important embodiment of the quality of life of urban and rural residents, and play an indispensable role in ensuring food safety in China and maintaining the nutrition and health of the whole people. Since 2012, China’s fishery production has developed steadily as a whole, and the output of aquatic products has continued to increase. In 2021, the output of aquatic products reached 66.9 million tons, an increase of 11.88 million tons compared with 2012, with an average annual growth rate of 2.2% from 2013 to 2021. While the total amount of aquatic products keeps increasing, the state has made overall plans for the rational utilization of fishery resources and the protection of fishery ecological environment, and put forward the development policy of giving priority to ecology, combining raising and catching, and focusing on raising, which has accelerated the transformation and upgrading of fishery development, gradually reduced the catch of aquatic products and continuously expanded the scale of aquaculture. In 2021, the output of aquaculture aquatic products was 53.94 million tons, an increase of 14.11 million tons compared with 2012, with an average annual increase of 3.4%; The proportion of aquaculture production in the total output of aquatic products increased to 80.6%, 8.2 percentage points higher than that in 2012. The output of fishing aquatic products was 12.96 million tons, a decrease of 2.23 million tons, with an average annual decrease of 1.7%; The proportion of aquatic products output further decreased to 19.4%, 8.2 percentage points lower than that in 2012.
Fourth, the basic conditions of agriculture have been continuously improved, and the foundation for stable and high yield has become more solid.
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the state has implemented the strategy of storing grain in the land and storing grain in technology, increased infrastructure construction such as farmland water conservancy, and the irrigated area of cultivated land has been continuously increased. Intensify the transformation of low-and medium-yield fields, and the construction area of high-standard farmland will increase steadily; Accelerate agricultural mechanization and greatly improve agricultural production efficiency. The basic conditions of agricultural production have been continuously improved, the agricultural foundation has become more stable, and the ability of stable and high-yield agriculture has been further enhanced.
(A) the irrigated area of cultivated land continues to increase, and the agricultural stability is more sufficient.
Water conservancy is the lifeblood of agricultural production and the basis for the normal operation of agriculture. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the state has continuously strengthened the construction of agricultural infrastructure focusing on farmland water conservancy, and increased investment in building farmland water conservancy. In 2021, the state financial expenditure on agriculture, forestry and water affairs reached 2,214.6 billion yuan, an increase of 1,017.2 billion yuan over 2012, with an average annual growth rate of 7.1% from 2013 to 2021. With the strong investment of the state finance, the irrigation conditions of farmland have improved obviously. At the end of 2021, the irrigated area of cultivated land in China was 1.044 billion mu, an increase of 107.02 million mu compared with 2012, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The irrigated area of cultivated land continues to increase, laying a good foundation for stabilizing agricultural production.
(2) The construction of high-standard farmland has been steadily advanced, and agricultural high yield is more guaranteed.
Cultivated land is the lifeblood of agricultural production, especially the high-standard farmland with drought and flood protection plays an important role in achieving stable and high agricultural production. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the state has attached great importance to the construction of high-standard farmland, increased financial input, and steadily increased the construction area of high-standard farmland with centralized contiguous, supporting facilities, high and stable yield, good ecology and strong disaster resistance, which is suitable for modern agricultural production and management methods. According to the statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, more than 100 million mu of high-standard farmland will be built nationwide in 2021, and more than 900 million mu of high-standard farmland construction tasks have been completed. The construction of high-standard farmland has played an important supporting role in mobilizing farmers’ enthusiasm for growing grain and ensuring national food security.
(3) Agricultural machinery and equipment are widely used, and agricultural production efficiency has been greatly improved.
Agricultural machinery is the wing of agricultural production, which is very important to improve agricultural production efficiency. Since 2012, small and medium-sized agricultural machinery such as cultivators, combine harvesters, automatic feeders and oxygen generators have been widely used, and the total power of agricultural machinery has increased year by year. According to statistics, in 2021, the total power of agricultural machinery in China reached 1.08 billion kilowatts, an increase of 50 million kilowatts compared with 2012, with an average annual growth of 0.6% from 2013 to 2021. The wide application of agricultural machinery has promoted the mechanization rate of agricultural production in China. According to the statistics of relevant departments, in 2021, the comprehensive mechanization rate of crop cultivation and harvest in China exceeded 71%[8], among which the comprehensive mechanization rates of wheat, corn and rice reached 97%, 90% and 84% respectively; The mechanization rate of animal husbandry and aquaculture reached 36% and 32% respectively, and China’s agricultural production has entered a new development stage dominated by mechanization.
Five, the agricultural management mode has been further changed, and modern agriculture is more dynamic.
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the state has actively cultivated new agricultural production and management entities, vigorously supported agricultural socialized services, and new agricultural industries and new formats have emerged one after another. Digital technologies such as big data and Internet of Things are widely used in agricultural production, and the leading role of science and technology in supporting agriculture continues to increase. With the help of modern science and technology, ancient agriculture is full of vitality.
(A) A large number of new agricultural production and operation entities have emerged, and the field of agricultural socialized services has been continuously expanded.
With the in-depth development of China’s market economy, the division of agricultural production services has become more refined, and the number of new agricultural production and management entities such as farmers’ professional cooperatives and family farms has increased rapidly. By the end of 2021, there were more than 1 million farmers’ professional cooperatives and nearly 890,000 family farms in China. While the number of new agricultural business entities is increasing, the scope of its socialized service is also expanding, from farming trusteeship to spraying pesticides, from seedling breeding to harvesting and sowing by machine, the functions of agricultural socialized service are constantly enriched, which has effectively stabilized agricultural production. The main body of new agricultural management has played an important role in applying new technologies, popularizing new varieties and opening up new markets, and is becoming a new force leading the development of modern agriculture.
(2) New industries and new formats are developing vigorously, and modern agriculture has added new kinetic energy.
With the continuous improvement of agricultural industrialization, the integration of primary, secondary and tertiary industries has deepened, and new agricultural production modes such as facility agriculture, soilless culture, sightseeing agriculture and precision agriculture have developed rapidly. By the end of 2021, the number of agricultural facilities such as greenhouses, greenhouses and small and medium-sized sheds in China reached more than 28 million, and the protected agriculture covered an area of more than 38 million mu. New agricultural production modes, such as facility agriculture and soilless culture, have broken through the limitation of natural resources, changed the seasonality of agricultural production, broadened the temporal and spatial distribution of agricultural production, and provided rich fresh fruits and vegetables for urban and rural residents. At the same time, new agricultural formats such as contract farming, rural e-commerce, live video and cold chain logistics are in the ascendant. In 2021, more than 1 million farmers sold agricultural products through the Internet, and more than 500,000 farmers carried out leisure agriculture and rural tourism, which provided surging impetus for improving agricultural quality and efficiency, increasing farmers’ income, and rural development and innovation.
(3) Modern information technology has been widely used, and the contribution rate of agricultural science and technology progress has been continuously improved.
With the rapid development of science and technology, agricultural production has entered the historical intersection of informationization and modernization, and frontier technologies such as bioengineering and gene editing have been widely used in crop breeding. Next-generation information technologies such as Internet of Things, big data, artificial intelligence and blockchain are deeply integrated with industries such as planting, animal husbandry and fishery. Digital agriculture and smart agriculture are becoming important driving forces for the transformation and upgrading of agricultural production to modernization, and science and technology are playing an increasingly important role in agricultural production. According to the data of relevant departments, in 2021, the contribution rate of China’s agricultural science and technology progress exceeded 60%[9], which was 7.0 percentage points higher than that in 2012. The overall level of China’s agricultural science and technology has entered the first phalanx from the second phalanx in the world, and the main crop varieties have basically achieved full coverage. Promoting agriculture through science and technology and helping agriculture through science and technology have become the main theme of modern agriculture.
Six, rural construction continued to advance, the rural landscape and living environment improved significantly.
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the state has further increased investment in rural infrastructure, focusing on promoting the construction of infrastructure such as water circuits and telecommunications that are convenient for people’s production and life, and the conditions of rural infrastructure have improved significantly. Vigorously promote rural environmental improvement, the rural environment has changed from clean and tidy to beautiful and livable, and the rural landscape and living environment have continued to improve.
(A) rural infrastructure is more perfect, and production and life are more convenient.
The construction of public infrastructure in rural areas has been steadily promoted, and rural production and life have become more convenient and faster. Rural areas have basically achieved comprehensive electricity, roads and telephones, and the quality of roads in the village has been continuously upgraded. By the end of 2021, 87.3% of villages had access to public transport; 99.1% of the main roads entering the village are cement or asphalt; 97.4% of the main roads in the village are cement or asphalt. The informatization construction in rural areas continued to advance. By the end of 2021, 99.0% of villages had broadband Internet access, and 94.2% had installed cable TV. The continuous improvement of rural infrastructure has effectively promoted the development of agricultural production. By the end of 2021, there were more than 330,000 villages with e-commerce distribution sites, and nearly 50,000 villages with leisure agriculture and rural tourism reception, which significantly improved the production and living conditions in rural areas.
(2) The living environment in rural areas has been continuously improved, and the countryside has become more beautiful and livable.
The state attaches great importance to rural work and actively promotes the construction of beautiful and livable villages. The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China formally put forward the strategy of rural revitalization, and the rural living environment has been significantly improved. By the end of 2021, 96.3% of the village domestic garbage was treated centrally or partially. The rural toilet revolution has been solidly promoted, the quality of rural toilet improvement has been continuously improved, and the toilet penetration rate of rural health households has reached 77.5%. The state has promoted the tasks of rural domestic waste sewage treatment as a whole, and the level of rural domestic sewage treatment has been continuously improved. By the end of 2021, 47.6% of village domestic sewage was treated centrally or partially.
(3) Basic public services in rural areas have been continuously improved, and people’s livelihood security has become more powerful.
The country has strengthened the construction of rural medical and health service system, and the rural medical and health situation has been greatly improved. By the end of 2021, the number of township health centers reached 35,000, and towns with health centers accounted for 90.8% of the total number of towns and villages in China; There are 599,000 village clinics, and each village has at least one clinic on average. In 2020, there will be 52 rural health technicians per 10,000 people, 18 more than in 2012; There are 21 rural practicing (assistant) doctors per 10,000 people, 7 more than in 2012. The state has continuously increased its efforts to help the poor and support agriculture, made historic achievements in tackling poverty and eliminated absolute poverty. For low-income people who have lost their ability to work, such as widows, orphans and disabled people, they should be guaranteed and supported. In 2021, the number of rural residents with minimum living security was 34.74 million, a decrease of 18.71 million compared with 2012; In 2020, there will be 3.72 million people supporting the Five Guarantees in rural areas and 740,000 people supporting the Five Guarantees in rural areas in a centralized way, which will provide medical care and a sense of security for the elderly, making the livelihood of farmers more powerful.
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, under the guidance of Socialism with Chinese characteristics Thought of the Supreme Leader in the New Era, agricultural production has made historic achievements and the rural landscape has undergone historic changes. However, we should also see that China’s agricultural foundation still needs to be consolidated, the independent innovation ability of key agricultural technologies such as seeds still needs to be improved, and the environmental carrying capacity of agricultural production resources is not strong; There are still weak links in rural infrastructure, public services and human settlements. To this end, we must unswervingly deepen reform and open wider to the outside world, unswervingly adhere to the policy of giving priority to the development of agriculture and rural areas, continuously increase capital investment and policy support for agriculture, rural areas and farmers, and work hard to promote the modernization of agriculture and rural areas and fully realize the goal of rural revitalization.
Note:
[1] The gross output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery includes five parts: agriculture (planting), forestry, animal husbandry, fishery, agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery and auxiliary activities, calculated at the current price, the same below.
[2] The growth rate of the total output value is calculated at comparable prices, and if the growth rate of other indicators is not indicated, it is calculated at current prices.
[3] The proportion of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery in the total output value is calculated by the current output value, the same below.
[4] Agriculture and related industries refer to agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery, and the secondary and tertiary industries whose products are used by agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery, directly using their products and relying on their resources, including all economic activities formed by the production, processing, manufacturing, circulation and service of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery.
[5] In 2012, the number was "main business income", and in 2018, "operating income" was used instead of "main business income".
[6] Per capita grain possession refers to the average grain quantity per population in a certain period of time, including output, net import and inventory.
[7] Including the output of garden fruits and melons and fruits.
[8] Agricultural mechanization indicators such as the comprehensive mechanization rate of crop cultivation and harvest come from the "14 th Five-Year Plan" National Agricultural Mechanization Development Plan.
[9] The data comes from the official website of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.