On October 25, the Information Office of the State Council held a press conference to discuss the agricultural and rural economic performance for the first three quarters of this year. Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhang Xingwang, shared insights on the positive developments in rural revitalization and the construction of a strong agricultural nation, emphasizing that the agricultural sector has maintained a stable trend with improving quality, providing significant support for economic recovery and high-quality development.
When asked about the anticipated increase in grain production, Zhang revealed that the latest data shows that as of October 24, the national autumn grain harvest has reached 82.5%. He remarked, “With the harvest of summer grain and early rice, we are seeing a bumper crop with production expected to surpass 1.4 trillion jin this year.”
What factors are contributing to this successful harvest? Zhang pointed to the weather, noting that while certain regions have experienced severe weather conditions, agricultural disaster levels nationwide have been relatively low this year, with crop damage estimated at 135 million mu—down by over 44 million mu compared to average years. Most provinces are reporting increased production.
He also highlighted the enhanced support from the central government for grain production. This includes full coverage of cost insurance for the three major staple grains and raising the minimum purchase prices for wheat and early indica rice, encouraging farmers to grow more grains. Adjustments to planting structures and the development of intercropping have led to an increase in areas planted with high-yield crops like corn, contributing significantly to overall production.
Regarding yields, Zhang mentioned ongoing initiatives to increase corn yields, as well as a new project to boost soybean productivity. This involves implementing key measures such as optimizing planting density and improving sowing quality, which are crucial for achieving balanced and substantial crop yield increases. He stated, “We expect the contribution of yield improvements to exceed 70%.”
Pan Wenbo, Chief Agronomist at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, noted that efforts to promote key agricultural technologies and upgrade machinery are underway. In counties implementing structured increases for corn, the number of plants per mu has risen by at least 100 this year. Additionally, he mentioned that the average yield for wheat in these counties has increased by around 5.1% compared to last year.
As the autumn grain market becomes more active, Li Jinghui, a member of the Ministry’s leadership, assured, “We will implement diverse measures to ensure the purchase and storage of autumn grains, stabilize market prices, and protect the income of grain farmers.”
Additionally, he provided an update on the progress of the autumn and winter planting season, stating it is running smoothly and slightly ahead of last year’s schedule. As this period coincides with peak fertilizer usage, Pan indicated that the ministry will collaborate with relevant departments to ensure a reliable supply of fertilizers.
The supply situation for “vegetable basket” products remains robust, with stable production of meat, eggs, and milk. By the end of September, the national sow herd stood at 40.62 million, indicating a steady development in the pig farming industry. Overall, meat, egg, and poultry production reached 70.44 million tons, marking a 1% increase from last year.
Zhang also highlighted the ongoing success of poverty alleviation efforts, noting that over 60% of monitored provinces have effectively eliminated the risk of returning to poverty. This has been achieved through targeted assistance and credit support for rural industries, with significant sums provided in micro-loans to help former poverty-stricken households.
Lastly, Zhang emphasized the importance of agricultural modernization through technology. He stated, “The key to agricultural modernization is technological innovation.” The Ministry plans to establish a database of agricultural technology enterprises to further enhance the role of innovation in the sector, ensuring that companies are supported in solving practical challenges they encounter.
