People’s Daily online 12/20/2024 3:45 p.m.
Agriculture, rural areas and farmers are among China’s top development priorities. As 2024 draws to a close, China has enjoyed another successful harvest despite natural disasters, with substantial progress in improving the environment and well-being of rural areas.
Here are some facts and figures presenting the strong points of the country’s agricultural and rural development throughout 2024.
(Photo / Xinhua)
– China’s 2024 grain production reached a record 706.5 million tonnes, an increase of 1.6% from last year’s output. This year also marks the first time the country recorded a grain harvest of more than 700 million tonnes.
– The country’s soybean production is expected to exceed 20 million tonnes in 2024, while winter rapeseed production is expected to see annual growth for an eighth consecutive year.
– During the January-September period, livestock meat production increased by 1% year-on-year, while aquaculture production increased by 4.5%. More quality agricultural products are now available to consumers.
– Chinese lawmakers passed a law to promote the development of rural collective economic organizations and protect the interests of farmers. Effective from May 1, 2025, the law aims to encourage rural areas to explore approaches adapted to local conditions to develop the new rural collective economy, thereby helping farmers increase their income.
– During the January-September period, the per capita disposable income of rural residents nationwide reached 16,740 yuan (about $2,329), marking an increase of 6.3 percent from the previous year.
– All 832 formerly impoverished counties have developed unique leading industries with major benefits and potential. These industries include agricultural processing, rural tourism and leisure agriculture, helping to create new engines of growth and improve living standards.
– Currently, about 75% of rural areas in the country have access to sanitary toilets and solid waste is properly collected, transferred and handled in more than 90% of villages across China.
– More than 45% of rural wastewater is now treated and controlled, contributing to a notable improvement in the rural environment.
– Thanks to the development of rural infrastructure, paved roads are now more widespread in rural areas, and more than 90% of the country’s villages have access to 5G Internet. Basic public services, including education, health care and care of the elderly, have also continually improved.
(Web editor: Sun Hongyu, Yishuang Liu)
