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Zsófia Gulyás
31/03/2025 21:43
Environmental issues related to climate change, such as rising temperatures, extreme weather, and water shortages, exacerbate food security challenges. Strengthening agriculture’s resilience is crucial, including promoting high-yield, stress-resistant crops. China's "blue granary" strategy aims to utilize aquatic food resources more efficiently while ensuring sustainability. One aspect of this plan is establishing 200 national-level "marine ranches" by 2025.
Excessive pesticide and fertilizer use, soil depletion, and farmland conversion for industrial purposes have led to declining agricultural land. Between 2013 and 2019, China lost more than 5 per cent of its farmland. In response, Beijing has set a national minimum of approximately 120 million hectares of farmland and is pressuring local governments to enforce stricter land protection policies.
Outdated technologies also threaten food security. Many key grain-producing regions suffer from water shortages. While China invests in irrigation and water-saving technologies, results vary. The country's reliance on small family farms complicates the adoption of modern agricultural methods. Recognizing digitalization's importance, China introduced the "Intelligent Agriculture Action Plan" in October 2024, aiming for 32 per cent digital integration in agriculture by 2028 and establishing 10,000 digitally integrated farms.
Urbanization and demographic shifts impact agriculture and related sectors, leading to labor shortages. The growing urban middle class has shifting dietary preferences, increasing demand for refined grains, meat, dairy, and imported food due to safety concerns.
Despite being the world's largest agricultural producer, China's food self-sufficiency rate dropped from 93.6 per cent in 2000 to 65.8 per cent in 2020, making it the top global food importer. In June 2024, China enacted its first food security law, aiming for "absolute self-sufficiency" in staple grains, relying on technological advancements. Additionally, China seeks to diversify import sources to reduce dependency on any single country. Recent global disruptions have further justified these efforts. To strengthen trade relations, China has signed over 100 agricultural cooperation agreements with Belt and Road Initiative countries.
China's food security strategies reflect its commitment to reducing dependence on imports. However, besides managing global risks, it must also address internal agricultural challenges. Technological advancements and policy measures will be essential in achieving Beijing's long-term food security goals.
The author is an international expert at the Magyar Nemzeti Bank, the central bank of Hungary