AGRICULTURE, rural areas and farmer’s issues remain China’s top priorities for the 16th consecutive year as its No. 1 central document prioritizes development of agriculture and rural areas.

The document, the first policy statement released by central authorities each year and seen as an indicator of policy priorities, was made public Tuesday by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council.

Existent policies will be fully implemented to ensure the country’s poverty elimination targets realized — to lift all its rural residents living below the current poverty line out of poverty and eliminate poverty in all poor counties and regions by 2020, according to the document.

Focus will be put on providing assistance to areas of extreme poverty, via favorable policies ranging from major projects, poor resident relocation and finance to nurturing of talent.

The document noted that the country will strive to ensure effective supply of major agricultural products. Efforts will be made to ensure that grain planting area remain steady at 1.65 billion mu (110 million hectares) and arable land area is kept above 1.8 billion mu, as well as developing 800 million mu of high-standard farmland by 2020.

It said the country will move to optimize agricultural structure, boost production of green agricultural products or those in short supply, and roll out plans to increase soybean planting and support dairy industry.

The country vowed to step up breakthroughs in key agricultural core technologies, and promote independent innovation in areas including biological breeding, heavy agricultural machinery, smart agriculture and green agricultural inputs.

The country will enhance agricultural cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road, expand imports of agricultural products in short supply at home, diversify importing channels, and foster the development of multinational agricultural corporations.

Progress should be made to promote rural development as well as improve rural living environments and public services such as education, health care, social security, elderly care and culture.

The country will take measures to improve rural infrastructure including roads, grids and logistics networks, and enhance pollution treatment and environmental protection.

According to the document, the country will foster the development of rural industries and diversify channels to increase the income of farmers.

It stressed developing industries with local characteristics, modern agricultural product processing and new rural services. The country will also push forward a digital countryside strategy.

The country should improve employment services and vocational training to promote the employment of the rural labor force and increase their incomes, the document said.

China will encourage rural migrant workers, college graduates, veterans and urban personnel to make innovations and start businesses in rural areas, and support the building of service platforms to encourage business startups.

(Xinhua)