Farmland protection: the strictest system must not be shaken

The video conference on the designation of permanent basic farmland and the management of agricultural land for facilities was held on January 5. Li Keqiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, made important instructions. The instructions pointed out that China has a large population and little land, and at all times the red line of farmland must be held, and the red line of basic farmland must be held. It is necessary to lay equal stress on quantity and quality, strictly designate permanent basic farmland, strictly implement special protection, tighten the "fence" of farmland protection, and build a solid cornerstone of national food security. Transforming the mode of agricultural development and advancing agricultural modernization require the development of facility agriculture. It is necessary both to clarify its special land-use policy and to strictly regulate land-use management, strengthen monitoring and supervision, and take a firm stand and hold people accountable under severe penalties for illegal and irregular land problems. Local governments at all levels must earnestly shoulder their main responsibility, and in the course of deepening rural land system reform and advancing new urbanization, unswervingly implement the strictest farmland protection system and the strictest land conservation system, so as to leave fertile fields and green countryside to future generations.

The conference made comprehensive arrangements for the designation of permanent basic farmland and the management of agricultural land for facility agriculture, requiring all localities to base themselves on protecting and improving farmland production capacity, adhere to laying equal stress on quantity and quality, coordinate the protection and development of high-quality farmland, and comprehensively carry out the designation of permanent basic farmland. At the same time, strictly regulate the management of agricultural land for facilities, strengthen monitoring and supervision, and promote large-scale grain production and the healthy development of facility agriculture.