On March 30, 2025, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued... Implementation Plan for Gradually Transforming Permanent Basic Farmland into High-Standard Farmland The development of this plan aims to enhance China’s overall agricultural production capacity, ensure national food security, and achieve sustainable agricultural development. The following are the key components of this plan.

I. General Requirements

The plan emphasizes the importance of food security and clearly states that the fundamental basis for ensuring food security lies in the quality of cultivated land. The plan adheres to the guiding principles of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and implements the Party’s guidelines and policies. Its primary objectives are: To By 2030, we aim to have cumulatively built 1.35 billion mu of high-standard farmland and cumulatively upgraded and improved 280 million mu. We will also carry out coordinated planning and simultaneous implementation of efficient water-saving irrigation, adding 80 million mu of newly irrigated land under efficient water-saving systems. By 2035, we aim to have all eligible permanent basic farmland fully converted into high-standard farmland, with cumulative upgrades and improvements reaching 455 million mu and an additional 130 million mu of newly irrigated land under efficient water-saving systems. This plan not only ensures the enhancement of food production capacity but also lays the foundation for sustainable agricultural development in the future.

II. Construction Arrangements

(1) Construction Standards

The plan is based on “Leveling, connectivity, and enhancement” serve as the basic criteria—namely, leveling of farmland plots, ensuring both water and road access, while simultaneously enhancing soil fertility, crop yields, and economic benefits. Different regions should set specific construction standards tailored to their own unique characteristics and needs, thereby establishing a standardized system that is both top-down and seamlessly integrated across all levels, thus ensuring the effectiveness and practicality of high-standard farmland development.

(2) Construction Content

The construction of high-standard farmland must be tailored to local conditions and emphasize the integrated management of fields, soil, water, roads, forests, electricity, and technology. In particular, for new projects, priority should be given to infrastructure development—such as irrigation and drainage systems and field roads—to enhance the farmland’s capacity for water retention, soil conservation, and disaster resistance. At the same time, implementing information-based management will help improve the scientific rigor and efficiency of agricultural production.

(3) Construction Layout

The proposal suggests optimizing the spatial layout of high-standard farmland construction, prioritizing areas such as the Northeast Black Soil Region, plain regions, and areas with favorable water conservancy conditions. Construction of high-standard farmland should be strictly restricted in ecologically fragile zones and steep-slope areas to protect the ecological environment.

(4) Zoning Construction

The nationwide construction of high-standard farmland will be divided into seven regions. Each region will formulate corresponding priorities and tasks based on its unique resource endowments and administrative divisions, ensuring that the construction is targeted and effective. For example, the Northeast region will focus on strengthening irrigation and drainage facilities in farmland, while the Southwest region will place emphasis on upgrading terraced fields.

(5) Tiered Planning

The plan stipulates that the construction of high-standard farmland already completed will be managed according to four-level planning schemes—national, provincial, municipal, and county—to ensure full implementation and promotion of the construction tasks.

III. Construction Management

(6) Project Implementation

Governments at all levels need to strengthen project management, scientifically and reasonably set annual goals and tasks, and ensure both the quality of construction and the progress of projects. A rigorous management and supervision mechanism will effectively guarantee the smooth implementation of these projects.

(7) Fund Supervision

To ensure the efficient use of funds, the plan proposes a stringent fund supervision mechanism. Localities must allocate funds reasonably in accordance with budget management regulations, thereby enhancing the efficiency of using funds for high-standard farmland construction and preventing issues such as misappropriation and retention of funds.

(8) Completion Acceptance

After the project is completed, a meticulous acceptance inspection will be conducted to ensure that it meets the design requirements and can effectively enhance grain production capacity. Once the acceptance inspection is passed, the facilities in the project area will, in principle, become the property of the land owner, thereby safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of farmers.

(9) Full-process supervision

During the construction process, a robust supervision mechanism will be established and perfected to ensure quality at every stage, promote project transparency, and enhance regulatory effectiveness through public participation.

IV. Operation and Maintenance

(10) Operating and Maintenance Entity

The plan clearly defines the responsibilities of governments at all levels and relevant departments in the operation and management of high-standard farmland, ensuring that public facilities are properly maintained and effectively supervised.

(11) Operation and Maintenance Model

Encourage the exploration of diversified operation and maintenance models, such as procuring services from the government or entrusting professional agencies to maintain facilities that require advanced technical expertise, thereby ensuring the smooth operation and long-term usability of these facilities.

(12) Protection and Utilization

The protection measures for high-standard farmland are extremely stringent, prohibiting arbitrary occupation and pollution to ensure the sustainability of both the ecological environment and agricultural production.

V. Policy Coordination

(13) Reallocation and Adjustment of Permanent Basic Farmland

The plan establishes clear rules for the reallocation and adjustment of permanent basic farmland, ensuring coordination between the construction of high-standard farmland and the protection of permanent basic farmland.

(14) Water resource support ancillary facilities

Emphasize the rational use and coordinated development of water resources, ensure the harmony between irrigation facilities and farmland construction, and enhance overall irrigation water efficiency.

(15) Capital Investment

Establish a diversified funding mechanism that combines government support with social capital, ensuring the sustainability and stability of high-standard farmland development.

VI. Guarantee Measures

(16) Strengthen leadership and ensure accountability.

By establishing a clear accountability mechanism, we can ensure that governments at all levels—from the central to local authorities—are able to effectively implement the provisions of the plan and promote the implementation of various measures.

(17) All parties shall collaborate and implement in a coordinated manner.

The proposal advocates for coordinated collaboration among relevant departments to comprehensively enhance the overall effectiveness of high-standard farmland development.

(18) Public Participation

Encourage the participation of farmers and collective economic organizations to make the construction process more transparent and fair, and to safeguard farmers’ rights and enhance their sense of involvement.

(19) Dynamic tracking and evaluation mechanism

A dynamic tracking and evaluation mechanism helps identify problems in a timely manner and make necessary adjustments, ensuring the smooth achievement of all project objectives.

(20) Rectify conduct and enforce discipline, and prevent risks.

Finally, by cracking down on corrupt practices during the construction process, we will uphold the credibility of governments at all levels and ensure the smooth implementation of high-standard farmland development.

Conclusion

The implementation of the "Implementation Plan for Gradually Transforming Permanent Basic Farmland into High-Standard Farmland" will provide a solid foundation for China's food security, enhance agricultural productivity, and promote the dual goals of rural development and ecological conservation. The effective execution of this plan requires the concerted efforts of governments at all levels, all sectors of society, and the vast majority of farmers, thereby driving the sustainable development of the Chinese nation.