Beijing Sets Agricultural Agenda to Safeguard Food Supply and Rural Stability

The Central Rural Work Conference, China’s top annual rural-policy meeting, was held in Beijing from December 29-30, focusing on strengthening grain supplies, preventing a return to poverty, and accelerating agricultural modernization as the country approaches the first year of its new five-year plan, the 15th Five-Year Plan, which begins in 2026 [para. 1][para. 2][para. 3][para. 4]. The conference reviewed the challenges facing “the three rurals” – agriculture, rural areas, and farmers – and outlined key priorities and policy directions for the crucial year ahead [para. 2][para. 4].

Prior to the conference, the Politburo Standing Committee emphasized the high priority of rural policy, issuing directives to shape the meeting’s agenda and the broader strategy for rural development [para. 3]. President Xi Jinping highlighted that 2026 would be a pivotal year for rural work, calling for policies anchored in agricultural and rural modernization, greater integration between urban and rural development, and the comprehensive revitalization of the countryside [para. 4][para. 5]. Xi underscored the importance of grain production, reflecting ongoing concerns about food security in the face of climate change, limited water resources, and geopolitical uncertainties [para. 6].

Specific recommendations included improving farmland quality, upgrading seed varieties, increasing the use of modern machinery, and refining farming practices to boost both the quantity and quality of agricultural output [para. 7]. Policies to stabilize grain prices and farmer incomes were also stressed, with the aim of bolstering rural economies and preventing poverty recurrences [para. 7]. Xi reiterated the importance of consolidating the gains from China’s major anti-poverty campaign and integrating routine support for low-income households into broader rural revitalization measures, focusing on preventing large-scale returns to poverty [para. 8].

The conference encouraged learning from successful models such as the “Thousand Villages Project,” first implemented in Zhejiang Province, which served as a template for improving village infrastructure and local governance nationwide [para. 9]. Investments in water conservancy, agricultural infrastructure, and enhanced disaster prevention systems were strongly advocated to protect farming against natural risks and improve the “vegetable basket” sector – China’s term for the fresh food supply – as well as diversify food sources [para. 10].

Land protection was another key area, with calls to strictly uphold China’s "red line" for arable land, expand high-standard farmland projects, and tailor these efforts to regional characteristics [para. 11]. Technological innovation and commercialization of new agricultural technologies were urged to drive productivity gains and modernize Chinese agriculture – described as fostering “new quality productive forces” [para. 12].

Social policies emphasized establishing robust mechanisms to prevent rural residents from falling back into poverty and supporting underdeveloped regions [para. 13]. To stabilize rural incomes, the conference called for better income protection for grain farmers, improved services for migrant workers, and support for rural entrepreneurship, recognizing off-farm work as vital to household income [para. 14].

Economic revitalization measures included promoting county-level industries, linking farmers to enterprises and supply chains, and fostering broader rural participation in industrial projects [para. 15]. For rural construction and governance, the meeting emphasized improved village land planning, campaigns to enhance rural living conditions (e.g., better toilets, waste management), and preparations for village leadership elections [para. 16][para. 17]. Strengthening grassroots party-building, promoting “civilized rural customs,” and applying the “Fengqiao experience” in rural dispute resolution for stability were also highlighted [para. 17][para. 18].

Finally, the conference pushed for continued rural land policy reforms, pilots for extending rural land contracts, and innovations in rural finance, stressing tighter party leadership and improved accountability to ensure effective policy implementation [para. 19][para. 20].