Charting a New Blueprint for Digital Agriculture and Rural Development: Insights from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on the 'Digital Agriculture and Rural Development Plan (2019-2025)'

At the end of January, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Central Cyberspace Administration jointly issued the “Digital Agriculture and Rural Development Plan (2019-2025)” (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”). Recently, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs discussed the background, significance, objectives, tasks, and implementation of the Plan in an exclusive interview with reporters.

Q: Could you explain the background and significance of the Plan?

A: President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of integrating the internet, big data, artificial intelligence, and the real economy to accelerate agricultural digitalization, networking, and intelligence. Key documents, such as the “Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Implementing the Rural Revitalization Strategy” and the “Digital Economy Development Strategy Outline,” also advocate for developing digital agriculture and implementing a digital countryside strategy to drive agricultural digital transformation.

To align with these central directives, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Central Cyberspace Administration conducted extensive research and consultations to develop the Plan. The Plan outlines a new approach to advancing digital agriculture and rural construction, presenting overarching goals, strategic directions, and key tasks for the coming years.

As a guiding document, the Plan aligns with the new trends in digital development and the expectations of millions of farmers. It underscores the strategic importance of digital agriculture and rural development in building a “Digital China,” bridging the urban-rural digital divide, fostering rural revitalization, and establishing global leadership in agriculture.

Q: What development approach and goals does the Plan propose?

A: The Plan provides a detailed roadmap and timeline for digital agriculture and rural development over the coming years. It emphasizes a development approach centered on industrial digitization and digital industrialization, deeply integrating digital technologies with the agricultural and rural economy.

The Plan proposes the construction of foundational data resource systems, enhancement of digital production capabilities, and the digital transformation of agricultural production, management, and services. It also aims to drive innovation in key technologies, integrate government information systems, and promote data sharing. Ultimately, the goal is to modernize agriculture and rural areas through digitalization, supporting comprehensive rural revitalization.

By 2025, the Plan aims to achieve significant milestones in digital agriculture and rural development. Key targets include establishing integrated observation networks, foundational data resource systems, and cloud platforms; advancing the integration of digital technologies into agricultural systems; increasing the share of digital agriculture in agricultural value-added output; and enhancing digital governance in rural areas.

Key quantitative targets include:

• Raising the share of the digital agriculture economy in agricultural value-added output from 7.3% in 2018 to 15% by 2025.
• Increasing the share of online retail sales in total agricultural product transactions from 9.8% in 2018 to 15% by 2025.
• Expanding rural internet penetration from 38.4% in 2018 to 70% by 2025.

Q: What are the key tasks outlined in the Plan?

A: The Plan identifies five primary tasks:

1. Building Foundational Data Resource Systems: Develop comprehensive data resources covering agricultural resources, germplasm, rural collective assets, residential land, and agricultural operations to support precise management and services.

2. Accelerating Digital Transformation of Production and Operations: Promote informatization in crop production, livestock farming, and aquaculture, including digital monitoring networks, precision agriculture, and smart facilities. The Plan also supports the growth of new online-based business models and end-to-end quality and safety traceability.

3. Transforming Management and Services through Digitalization: Establish systems for intelligent decision-making, strengthen market monitoring and forecasting, and build digital service networks for rural development. This includes creating smart solutions for rural living environments and governance.

4. Strengthening Innovation in Key Technologies and Equipment: Prioritize breakthroughs in technologies such as intelligent sensing, physiological monitoring, and digital modeling. Integrate new technologies like AI, 5G, and blockchain into agriculture, and promote digital innovation and pilot projects.

5. Advancing Major Infrastructure Projects: Implement national projects for data platforms, integrated observation networks, and innovation centers. These initiatives aim to enhance comprehensive digital agriculture services and improve decision-making capabilities.

Q: How will the Plan be implemented?

A: Implementation requires focused effort in four areas:

1. Strengthening Leadership: Under the national coordination framework, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, along with the Central Cyberspace Administration, will lead efforts to integrate digitalization into agricultural processes and management.

2. Enhancing Policy Support: Encourage public-private partnerships, subsidized loans, and investment from various stakeholders to support projects in land use, technology, and equipment.

3. Improving Data Management: Expand data collection channels using advanced technologies and establish comprehensive data-sharing policies to enhance resource coordination.

4. Building Talent and Capacity: Develop a talent pool of leading scientists, engineers, and management professionals in digital agriculture. Provide training to improve the digital skills of rural officials and farmers.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Official Website