How to Accelerate the Innovative Development of the Organic Agriculture Industry

1. Current Status of China's Organic Industry

As of the end of 2013, China's organic plant product production area was about 2 million hectares (organic cultivation area of 1.28 million hectares, accounting for 0.95% of arable land), ranking fourth in the world. At present, China has more than 7,000 organic production enterprises, with certified product value of 81.6 billion yuan, and certified organic product sales of about 30 billion yuan, with products mainly consisting of grain, vegetables and tea.

2. Environmental, Economic and Social Benefits Generated by the Organic Industry

(1) Environmental benefits of organic agriculture. Organic agriculture can increase the number and variety of wildlife in rural areas, enhance biodiversity, maintain soil health, reduce the risk of water pollution, and lower carbon dioxide emissions.

In 2013, the certified organic crop area was about 2 million hectares, from which it is estimated that chemical fertilizer use can be reduced by about 720,000 tons per year, and pesticide use by about 46,000 tons.

(2) Economic benefits of organic agriculture. At present, the price of organic agricultural products on the domestic market is 50%-100% higher than conventional food, and some products such as vegetables and rice can be 2-3 times higher or even more, so engaging in organic production can yield relatively higher economic returns. At the same time, many bases rely on organic agriculture to drive tourism development and promote the adjustment of rural industrial structure. Through the industrialized operation of organic food, related secondary and tertiary industries are driven to develop, raising the overall level of the rural economy.

(3) Social benefits of organic agriculture. Organic agriculture is a labor-intensive industry that can accommodate a large number of farmers for employment and solve farmers' employment problems. At the same time, organic agriculture encourages biodiversity and traditional farming techniques, and guarantees fair working standards.

3. Recommendations for the Further Development of China's Organic Industry

(1) Attach importance to the public-interest nature of organic production and strengthen government support for the organic industry. The state should increase investment in organic agriculture research and the promotion and application of technology. In areas with the conditions and suitability for developing organic agriculture, organic agriculture should be vigorously developed in ecological counties, environmentally sensitive areas, nature reserves, drinking water source protection areas and surrounding areas of other important ecological function zones. The state should also formulate a unified organic industry development plan and national action plan, establish medium- and long-term development goals and directions, and formulate major construction projects and development strategies.

(2) Include the promotion of organic industry development within the functional scope of relevant local government departments

Include the promotion and support of organic product industry development within the scope of responsibilities of relevant local government institutions, so that local departments have a basis to rely on in promoting the development of the organic product industry.

(3) Strengthen the top-level design of innovative research to lay a solid foundation for the sustainable development of the organic industry

In scientific research on the organic industry, attention should be paid to closely integrating science and technology with production enterprises and the market, and to working together with research and practical operation personnel on the front lines of organic production to improve independent innovation capacity.

(4) Strengthen legislation and institutional development to safeguard the development of the organic industry

It is necessary to strengthen the development of fiscal institutions and give full play to the guiding role of fiscal funds in building a resource-conserving and environment-friendly society.

(5) Strengthen the creation of organic production bases and promote the large-scale and industrialized development of organic agriculture

Since 2003, the Ministry of Environmental Protection has vigorously promoted the creation of "National Organic Food Production Bases." At present, a total of 176 organic product production bases in five batches have passed review, becoming demonstrations and examples for the construction of local organic product bases.

(6) Strengthen supervision to safeguard the healthy development of the organic product industry

At present, China has basically established a food and agricultural product certification and accreditation system covering the entire process "from farm to table," and has gradually formed a work pattern of "unified management and joint implementation."

(7) Increase publicity efforts and actively guide the production and consumption of organic products

In the future, publicity activities that are closer to consumers should be carried out, and consumers should be organized to participate in the organic production process, so as to eliminate the credibility crisis and thereby actively consume organic products.