Recently, released 2024 China Agricultural and Rural Development Trends Report, jointly completed by the National Academy of Agricultural and Rural Development of China Agricultural University and the China Economic Trends Research Institute of Economic Daily, sheds light on the current landscape of China’s agricultural and rural development.
The report highlights the steady growth of the agricultural economy, accompanied by an upward trajectory in farmers’ income. In 2023, the value added of the primary industry reached 8.96 trillion RMB (1.24 trillion USD), marking a 4.1% increase compared to the previous period, contributing to 7.12% of the annual GDP.
Rural residents’ income continues to rise steadily, outpacing urban residents, with a nominal increase of 7.7% over the previous year to 21,691 RMB (3,012 USD).
Another significant achievement outlined in the report is the success in grain production, with notable progress in expanding soybean and oilseed cultivation. China achieved “twenty consecutive bumper harvests” in grain production, reaching a historic high of 1,391 billion catties in 2023. The soybean planting area expanded to 157 million acres, showing a steady growth of 2.2%.
Robust support for agricultural water conservancy infrastructure and breakthroughs in agricultural production technology are also emphasized.
Furthermore, the report notes the rebound of migrant workers’ employment and the effective prevention of poverty relapse. The number of migrant workers increased by 2.7% in 2023, with a growing preference for employment in central and western regions and within counties.
Rural industries are depicted as entering a phase of rapid development. Logistics and e-commerce in the countryside are gradually recovering, with rural online retail sales reaching 17 trillion RMB (2.4 trillion USD) in the first three quarters of 2023. Rural leisure tourism is also on the rise, with 256 villages selected as beautiful and leisurely rural areas in 2023.
Looking ahead to 2024, the report underscores the importance of implementing the “14th Five-Year Plan” to ensure continued agricultural prosperity and rural revitalization.
The report concludes by emphasizing the significance of building a strong agricultural country and promoting agricultural and rural modernization. Priorities include focusing on food security, deepening rural reform, promoting common prosperity, and coordinating regional development.
