China to boost agricultural high-tech industrial demonstration zones

By 2025, a number of national agricultural high-tech industrial demonstration zones will have been established to create a world-leading sector focusing on innovation, talent and industrial development, according to a guideline released by the State Council on Monday.

The document called to examine innovation-driven development for the sector by significantly raising output and productivity in the demonstration zones.

The guideline set eight key tasks for the zones, including expanding research and development input to improve technology and efficiency.

More high technology will be further used to boost innovation for key agricultural categories, such as fertilizer. Research and education resources, including universities and research institutes will be present in these zones and farmers will be trained to prioritize labor structure. An integrated development of the first, secondary and tertiary industries will be promoted to coordinate rural and urban development.

Meanwhile, green development will be enhanced to develop recyclable agriculture, and information services will be strengthened to develop smart agriculture. International cooperation will be boosted to align the sector with the Belt and Road Initiative, the document added.

In addition, preferential policies such as fiscal, financial support and land will be granted to the demonstration zones.