A reporter asked: How can we coordinate and promote agricultural production with green development?

Liao Xiyuan, Director of the Science and Education Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, introduced that in recent years, the Ministry has thoroughly implemented the new development philosophy, placing green agricultural development prominently and promoting measures such as reducing input while enhancing efficiency, green substitution, integrated crop-livestock cycles, and comprehensive management—achieving remarkable results. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has been reduced; pig manure from pigsties has been turned into valuable resources; straw is being utilized more effectively; and the recycling rate of agricultural plastic films has increased significantly. This year, we will continue to uphold the direction of green agricultural development and further intensify our efforts.

First, we will focus on strengthening policy support. We will improve the agricultural subsidy system oriented toward green practices, refine the agricultural ecological compensation mechanism, and enhance management measures for reducing the use of agricultural inputs, classifying and managing farmland, and conserving agricultural resources.

Second, we will focus on implementing five major initiatives for green agricultural development. Specifically, we will carry out an organic fertilizer-for-chemical-fertilizer substitution initiative in 175 counties located in areas with advantageous production of fruits, vegetables, and tea; implement a manure and wastewater resource utilization initiative in 685 livestock-producing counties; launch a comprehensive straw utilization initiative in 200 counties; conduct a farm plastic film recycling initiative in 100 counties; and, with a particular emphasis on the Yangtze River basin, implement a conservation initiative for aquatic organisms.

Third, we will focus on strengthening technological support. We will deepen collaboration among industry, academia, and research institutions, bringing together leading research organizations and enterprises to jointly tackle key technologies for agricultural ecological protection. We will release a set of major, pioneering green agricultural production technologies and promote 100 high-quality, safe, cost-effective, and eco-friendly technologies that are widely recommended for adoption.

Fourth, we will focus on strengthening and improving the monitoring network. We will weave a comprehensive “single network” for monitoring agricultural ecological and environmental protection, enhancing the national monitoring system by adding 40,000 sites for monitoring farmland soil quality, 240 sites for nitrogen and phosphorus runoff from farmlands, 500 sites for residual agricultural film, and 280 sites for straw resource utilization. We will also strengthen monitoring and evaluation efforts and promote integrated supervision and assessment.