Interpretation of the 2025 Central No.1 Document
On February 24, 2025, the Central No.1 Document was released, which is somewhat later than in previous years.
The document primarily covers several key aspects:
Food Security and Supply of Key Agricultural Products
There are nine main points, the first seven of which focus on food security. The importance of food security is evident.
In crop production, after sustained harvests of major cereals, attention is now turning to soybeans, rapeseed, peanuts, and tea seed oil. These are important raw materials for cooking oil. Historically, soybeans were mainly imported from Brazil and the United States. However, due to complex international conditions and increased food security concerns, production capacities for oilseeds, sugar, cotton, and rubber—strategic materials—have also seen rising demands.
In animal husbandry, maintaining the basic level of pig production is crucial, while the beef and dairy industries are facing difficulties. The industry must address these challenges and simultaneously solve safety issues with dairy products, while supporting the development of family farms and cooperatives.
In terms of land protection, the total area of farmland is monitored on a provincial basis, with strict measures to regulate “greenhouse houses,” “lake landscaping,” and “illegal occupation of farmland for construction.” High-standard farmland construction is more focused on quality, with full-process supervision of the projects.
Agricultural science and technology focus on biological breeding, agricultural machinery, and smart agriculture (artificial intelligence, data, low-altitude).
Agricultural disaster reduction and mitigation emphasize meteorology, with a focus on floods, pests, and irrigation.
To protect the enthusiasm for grain production, subsidies will be tilted towards counties with high grain production, with special attention given to major crops like grains, wheat, corn, and soybeans. There will also be minimum purchase prices and insurance.
The “big food concept” strengthens the construction of emergency vegetable bases and promotes the modernization of agricultural facilities around medium and large cities. Deep-sea aquaculture, offshore ranching, forest foods, edible fungi, algae, biological agriculture, and food safety monitoring are also priorities.
Healthy diet: Promoting dietary changes to reduce oil, salt, sugar, and encourage whole grains.
Continue to Consolidate and Expand Poverty Alleviation Achievements
Focus on stimulating endogenous momentum and strengthening support for rural low-income populations who are capable of labor.
Focus on Strengthening County-level Wealth-building Industries
Primary and secondary industries: Develop green agricultural products and establish specialized agricultural industry clusters to improve the industrialization level of agriculture. The tertiary industry includes rural culture and tourism, aimed at enhancing the differentiation, quality, and standardization of rural tourism.
Project construction must be linked with agriculture and involve farmers. Models include: guaranteed dividends, stock participation, and service-driven support.
Developing courtyard economies, forest economy, and homestay economy based on local conditions, implementing special actions to strengthen digital rural initiatives and benefit farmers. Employment through work-based assistance.
Focus on Promoting Rural Construction
Under the premise that the total area of farmland remains stable and the layout of permanent basic farmland remains basically unchanged, comprehensive land reclamation will be carried out, with counties as the coordinating units and townships as the basic implementing units.
Rural water supply and professional management, utilization of livestock waste, aquaculture wastewater treatment, and safe use of polluted farmland will be promoted. Strengthening the tracing and management of heavy metal pollution in farmland soil. Support for straw recycling and utilization.
County-level party and government leadership stability will be maintained, with management of village cadres.
Focus on Improving Resource Guarantee and Optimizing Allocation Systems
Land resources: Adhere to the principle of “great stability, small adjustments” and gradually promote the extension of land contract periods for the second round of contracted land. Farmers’ legally owned housing may be rented out, used as equity shares, or cooperated in asset activation. Reform of rural collective business land market. Urban residents or retired cadres are not allowed to occupy rural land for housing construction.
Investments: Central budgetary spending, ultra-long-term special government bonds, and special local government bonds will support major rural projects. Collateral financing for live animals and agricultural facilities.
