China targets record food-security push in shadow of US-Israeli war with Iran | South China Morning Post

China has pledged to raise grain output to record levels over the next five years, as part of efforts to guarantee food security for its vast population amid geopolitical shocks and supply-chain uncertainties.

Under the nation’s 15th five-year plan unveiled during the “two sessions” parliamentary meetings, Beijing set a target to raise annual grain production capacity to 725 million tonnes by 2030, driven by wider use of high-end agricultural machinery and advanced breeding technologies.

As in previous planning cycles, grain output remained one of eight “binding targets” in the new blueprint – a mandatory objective as China continues to emphasise food security for its 1.4 billion people.

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The previous five-year plan set grain production capacity at a minimum of 650 million tonnes, but actual output surpassed 700 million tonnes for the first time in 2024.

China, the world’s largest food producer and consumer, traditionally relied on smallholder farming. But agricultural technology and equipment “improved significantly” over the past five years, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Han Jun said in a group interview on Monday.

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“The intelligent and digital transformation of agriculture is now accelerating, with various smart equipment playing a significant role in agricultural production,” he said.