China is setting a course for significant advancements in its agricultural and rural sectors with the release of a new five-year plan by the State Council. Covering the period from 2026 to 2030, the plan aims to modernize agriculture, enhance food security, and elevate living standards in rural communities. By 2030, China intends to bolster its grain production capacity to about 725 million tonnes and ensure that at least 98 percent of agricultural products pass quality and safety inspections.
Key policy measures are outlined in the plan to support China’s broader modernization objectives, which also include improving the quality and competitiveness of the agricultural sector and consolidating efforts in poverty reduction. The strategy emphasizes enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring a steady supply of essential food products to meet growing consumer demand for healthier and higher-quality offerings.
The plan identifies several priority areas, such as meat production, green agricultural development, and rural sewage treatment, alongside initiatives for technological innovation and farmer income growth. It seeks to transform agriculture into a more advanced and sustainable industry, promoting balanced development between urban and rural areas through increased use of modern farming techniques and expanded agricultural science and technology.
Efforts to modernize agriculture will include the expansion of high-standard farmland, advancements in agricultural research, and the development of cold-chain logistics infrastructure. The plan also encourages the adoption of artificial intelligence in farming and aims to modernize agricultural product processing while promoting environmentally friendly practices. Emerging sectors like intelligent breeding technologies, new-energy agricultural machinery, and agricultural bio-manufacturing will receive support to spur innovation.
Building on recent gains, China’s grain output in 2025 reached nearly 715 million tonnes, marking the second consecutive year of production above 700 million tonnes. The role of scientific and technological progress has become increasingly vital, contributing over 64 percent to agricultural development. By 2030, China hopes to increase this contribution to 67 percent, reinforcing the importance of these advancements in achieving its agricultural goals.