China unveils plan to transform permanent prime farmland into high-standard farmland

China has released a plan to gradually transform permanent primary farmland into high-standard farmland. The plan, issued by the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council, calls for the creation of 1.35 billion mu (90 million hectares) of high-standard farmland by 2030, and the transformation of all permanent primary farmland into high-standard farmland by 2035. The plan emphasizes that food security is a strategic issue, and that arable land is the foundation for ensuring food security, while the creation of high-standard farmland is a key focus. High-standard farmland, also called well-maintained farmland, requires scientific and technological support for disaster prevention and control, improvement of soil quality and fertility, and information technology-based farmland management. By the end of 2024, China has developed more than 1 billion mu of high-standard farmland and built irrigation networks with a ...