China’s State Council has unveiled a strategic five-year plan aiming to modernize agriculture and rural areas from 2026 to 2030, prioritizing food security, enhanced agricultural productivity, and improved living conditions in rural communities. This comprehensive plan is designed to align with China’s overarching modernization objectives, setting ambitious targets to bolster food security, elevate the quality and competitiveness of its agricultural sector, and solidify the progress achieved in poverty alleviation by the end of the decade.
One of the plan’s pivotal goals is to augment China’s grain production capacity, targeting approximately 725 million tonnes by 2030. Additionally, it seeks to maintain a rigorous standard for agricultural product quality and safety, ensuring that the pass rate for routine inspections remains at or above 98 percent. The initiative also encompasses various other objectives, including boosting meat production, advancing green agricultural practices, improving rural sewage systems, fostering technological innovation, and uplifting farmers’ income levels.
Emphasizing the enhancement of agricultural production quality and efficiency, the plan underscores the importance of stable supplies of essential food products such as grain. Responding to the growing consumer demand for healthier and higher-quality agricultural goods, the strategy aims to revolutionize agriculture into a more advanced and sustainable industry. It also seeks to foster balanced development between urban and rural regions, bridging the gap through improved infrastructure and innovative practices.
To achieve these goals, the plan outlines several key initiatives, including the expansion of high-standard farmland, enhancement of agricultural research and innovation capabilities, development of cold-chain logistics infrastructure, and promotion of artificial intelligence in farming. Efforts to modernize agricultural product processing and promote environmentally-friendly farming practices are also highlighted. Additionally, China will support emerging sectors like intelligent breeding technologies, new-energy agricultural machinery, low-altitude agricultural applications, agricultural bio-manufacturing, and innovative food production.
Building on recent achievements, the new targets follow a period of significant progress in the agricultural sector. In 2025, China’s grain output reached nearly 715 million tonnes, marking the second successive year with production exceeding 700 million tonnes. The impact of agricultural technology has been profound, with scientific and technological advancements contributing over 64 percent to agricultural development. By 2030, China aims to increase this contribution to 67 percent, further cementing its commitment to agricultural modernization and innovation.