How can the development of agriculture, rural areas and farmers actively adapt to the new normal?
On March 6, the third session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference held a press conference. Chen Xiwen, member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, deputy head and director of the Office of the Central Rural Work Leading Group, answered reporters' questions on how the development of “agriculture, rural areas and farmers” can actively adapt to the new normal of economic development.
The focus of this year's rural work is to accelerate the transformation of the agricultural development model and speed up the building of modern agriculture
Against the backdrop of slowing economic growth, what is the focus of this year's rural work? Chen Xiwen believes it is to accelerate the transformation of the agricultural development model and build modern agriculture.
Chen Xiwen said that the reason this year's effort to accelerate the transformation of the agricultural development model must be placed in a very important position is that it is consistent with the requirements and goals of building modern agriculture and is directly related to the prominent problems currently facing agriculture and rural areas. “There are three prominent reasons. First, the production cost of agriculture is continuously rising. Land rent, labor prices, input prices and the prices of rural purchased services are all rising steadily. Rising costs will lead to continuously rising prices, and rising prices will bring about the second problem: the prices of bulk agricultural products are now higher than those on the international market, which creates great pressure. Third, for a long time, because there are many people and little land, people had to pursue grain output in order to have enough to eat, which put too much pressure on agricultural resources, and various agricultural products have also caused problems for the rural environment. Only by solving these three problems can rural agriculture be maintained and developed, so the agricultural development model must be transformed.”
As for how to transform the development model, Chen Xiwen said: First, we must embark on a path of agricultural development that is resource-saving and environmentally friendly, and we must not one-sidedly pursue output, destroy the environment, and damage the development foundation for future generations. Second, we must accelerate the adjustment of the agricultural structure, extend the agricultural industrial chain, and keep more added value from agricultural products in rural areas. Third, through reform and innovation, we must improve the agricultural system and make it more dynamic.
In addition to fiscal investment, farmers' incomes must also be increased through reform and innovation, scientific and technological innovation, and a series of specific measures
“In addition to fiscal investment, farmers' incomes must also be increased through reform and innovation, scientific and technological innovation, and a series of specific measures.” Chen Xiwen believes that, judging from the current structure of farmers' income, about 40% comes from household operations, while the income from crop farming that truly comes from agriculture is about 25%, 40% comes from farmers' wage income, and another 20% is transfer income and property income.
“Increasing farmers' incomes must be promoted through multiple channels working together. In addition to developing agriculture to increase farmers' incomes, we must also rely on the characteristics of the current stage and, through the driving force of industrialization and urbanization, enable more farmers to have employment opportunities in non-agricultural industries and obtain better incomes.” Chen Xiwen said that he believes that, in accordance with the arrangements of the Central Document No. 1 and the government work report, after the economy enters the new normal, there is still great potential to maintain the stable development of agriculture and maintain the growth of farmers' incomes.
On the basis of clarifying collective land ownership and stabilizing farmers' land contract rights, the land management rights should be made more flexible
“The area of contracted farmland transferred in rural areas nationwide has reached 380 million mu, accounting for 28.8% of the total contracted farmland area. A large number of farmers go to cities to work and do business, leaving their land idle at home. They are encouraged to rent their land to other capable entities for use, and the results are now continuously emerging.” Chen Xiwen said that according to statistics, at present nearly 60 million farming households have transferred part or all of their land to others for use, accounting for 26% of the total number of contracted farming households.
“Corresponding legal protection should be given to land transfer, farmers should be allowed to make their own choices, and moderately scaled operations should be gradually developed. Coercive promotion through administrative means should be avoided.” Chen Xiwen said that the central authorities have clearly proposed that rural farmland should realize the separation of three rights, that is, on the basis of clarifying collective land ownership and stabilizing farmers' land contract rights, the land management rights should be made more flexible, and farmers may transfer land voluntarily and with compensation in accordance with the law.