Ministry of Natural Resources Urges Protection of Farmland Ahead of National Land Day

The Ministry of Natural Resources has reinforced the importance of safeguarding arable land in preparation for the upcoming National Land Day, which occurs this Wednesday. They recognize the critical role of farmland in maintaining food security for China's vast population of 1.4 billion people. To manage this, the government has established a strict red line of 120 million hectares of land reserved solely for agricultural purposes, prohibiting its use for construction or other non-agricultural activities.

During a recent press conference, the ministry reiterated that this red line must remain intact and emphasized prioritizing high-quality farmland for grain cultivation. In various regions, farmland has been repurposed for planting trees, fruits, and tea as part of efforts to alleviate poverty and revitalize rural areas. Officials cautioned that a hasty return of these lands to traditional crop production could jeopardize these income-generating ventures and risk plunging communities back into poverty.

"identifying," "restoring," and "swapping" land. The identifying process involves accurately pinpointing and safeguarding plots that meet agricultural standards, focusing on areas with fertile soil. The restoring phase aims to bring together larger scale plots with suitable irrigation back into grain production, while also considering farmers' preferences and local agricultural patterns.

The swapping strategy pertains to removing land unsuitable for farming from protection status, allowing for the designation of more viable plots for agricultural use. He Yong, head of the ministry's farmland protection department, explained these methods as foundational to effective land management.

Representatives from local governments, such as Zhao Pan from the Dezhou natural resources bureau, reported that these transitions have enhanced land management and clarified categorization, benefiting local stakeholders and minimizing workload at the grassroots level. The careful restoration process is seen as beneficial for aligning agricultural practices with environmental sustainability and maintaining a balance in farmland availability.

Zhao cited examples like Xiajin county, where unfavorable conditions for traditional farming had led to the establishment of mulberry-planting areas, which have gained national recognition. Additionally, merging smaller plots into larger fields has facilitated mechanized agriculture, reduced costs, and increased overall grain production.

To ensure even better management of permanent basic farmland, the Ministry of Natural Resources is collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs to formulate updated guidelines for handling the farmland red line. Their aim is to create contiguous farmland zones, improve the quality of agricultural land, and ensure that the protective measures remain robust.