In the wake of escalating concerns over global food shortages fueled by geopolitical events such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Chinese President Xi Jinping has underscored the imperative of ensuring food security within the nation. In response to these apprehensions, China’s State Council has issued directives to local governments and rural communities, emphasizing the need to maintain grain production at levels above a specified minimum to avert potential social unrest and poverty resurgence.
The official policy document, commonly referred to as “Document No. 1,” released on February 3, delineates the target of sustaining national grain output at no less than 1.3 trillion jin (650 million tons) for the year 2024. This directive not only signifies a commitment to safeguarding food security but also reflects the Chinese government’s proactive stance in mitigating the risk of large-scale economic setbacks.
A key element of the directive calls for emulating President Xi Jinping’s poverty alleviation project in rural Zhejiang from 2003. Termed as “storing food in the land,” this initiative advocates maintaining fallow agricultural land that can be swiftly cultivated with food crops in case of depleting grain reserves. The multifaceted approach outlined in the document also accentuates the significance of strengthening the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party in matters related to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Analysts and commentators, including Guo Min, a current affairs expert, observe that food security has emerged as a recurrent focal point for China’s leadership. Notably, the document’s emphasis on the large-scale abandonment of agricultural land by farmers in recent years underscores the gravity of the situation. Guo Min suggests that the renewed mention of food security in this year’s Document No. 1 highlights the persistent challenges authorities face in ensuring stable grain production levels in rural areas.
As China grapples with both domestic and global uncertainties, the government’s prioritization of food security remains a critical aspect of its strategy to fortify the nation against potential socio-economic disruptions.
