China enacts new farmland protection law to bolster food security

China's top legislature passed a law on farmland protection and quality improvement on Friday, tightening controls on the use of arable land and seeking to strengthen the country's food security.

The law, adopted at the 24th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, will take effect on Jan 1, 2027.

Comprising eight chapters and 72 articles, it establishes rules covering farmland protection targets and layout, controls on the occupation of arable land, farmland quality improvement, ecological protection, safeguards and oversight, and legal responsibilities.

It stipulates that farmland should be used mainly to produce grain and agricultural products including cotton, oil crops, sugar crops and vegetables, along with forage and feed.

China will continue to implement the strictest systems for protecting farmland, safeguarding the country's red line for farmland protection, according to the law.

The legislation calls for enhanced integrated protection of the quantity, quality and ecological functions of farmland.

It also highlights greater public awareness of farmland protection and quality improvement. Governments and relevant departments at all levels are required to strengthen public education, while education authorities and schools should promote awareness among students through teaching and educational activities.

News media are encouraged to conduct public-interest campaigns on relevant laws, regulations and knowledge, and to exercise public supervision over violations such as the destruction of farmland.

China will also use satellite remote sensing, the internet, big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence to improve farmland protection and quality improvement, according to the law.

The country's farmland protection condition remains challenging, as agricultural production is highly vulnerable to natural disasters and grain supply and demand is expected to remain relatively tight over the long term, the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee said in a statement on Friday.

The legislation is intended to deploy tough measures to help consolidate the foundation of China's food security, ensure basic self-sufficiency in grains and absolute security in staple food supplies, the official said.