China’s Agricultural Technology Underway

The central policy document setting the tone for this year’s agriculture， namely， Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Speeding up Innovation in Agricultural Science and Technology and Building up the Capacity to Guarantee Agricultural Product Suppliers， was issued on Feb. 1.

This is the ninth high-priority policy document themed on agriculture and rural areas issued by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. The No. 1 document is considered to be of primary importance in setting the agenda for the year.

With the theme of “speeding up innovation in agricultural science and technology and building up the capacity to guarantee adequate suppliers of agricultural products”， the document has a Foreword， a Conclusion and 23 articles in six other chapters. Targeting the year’s central task of ensuring effective supplies of agricultural products， the document specially focuses on the progress of agricultural science and technology on the basis of stressing on the simultaneous implementation of various measures and joint efforts from all walks of life.

Developing agricultural technology is the core issue to ensure the quality and safety of agricultural products， the document said. China vows to increase financial expenditures on agriculture， farmers and rural areas， and enhance investment to agricultural science and technology. In addition， China is to strengthen service of agricultural technology promotion. The document also pushes for agricultural mechanization by boosting credit support for the purchase of machinery， water-conservation facilities， and key ecological projects in the country as well.

How will the document work? What achievements are expected? And what are the difficulties in the course? The Special Report of this issue will present an in-depth study of the document.