The No 1 Central Document of the Communist Party of China Central Committee for 2025 has set a clear vision for the future of agriculture in China, emphasizing the development of “new quality productive forces” tailored to local conditions. This strategic document underscores the importance of smart agriculture and a digital countryside, with a strong focus on integrating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and big data into agricultural practices.
The document highlights the critical role of AI in addressing longstanding challenges in traditional agriculture, such as labor shortages and inefficient resource utilization. By optimizing resource allocation and enhancing total factor productivity, AI can drive a significant transformation in the agricultural sector. This technological revolution is poised to bridge the gap between urban technological advancements and rural development, fostering integrated urban-rural growth.
One of the pressing issues in China’s agricultural landscape is the aging population and the exodus of young workers from rural areas, leaving behind a critical question: who will cultivate the land? AI-powered agricultural machinery has emerged as a viable solution to mitigate this labor shortage. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs is actively promoting the development of intelligent agricultural machinery and equipment, which can perform labor-intensive tasks, enabling automated planting and harvesting. This shift towards automation is evident in the recent China International Agricultural Trade Fair, where agricultural robots designed for tasks like picking lychees and harvesting pineapples and dragon fruits were showcased.
The application of AI in agriculture extends beyond machinery. In Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the Gangbei district of Guigang city is pioneering “intelligent animal husbandry.” The Xinghe AI pig farm, for instance, has implemented automated systems for ventilation, temperature control, manure scraping, and feeding, significantly increasing pig rearing capacity and reducing feeding costs. Similarly, the collaboration between the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Alibaba has led to the development of a smart breeding platform that uses AI algorithms to manage and analyze big data, offering new possibilities for cultivating superior crop varieties.
The No 1 Document also emphasizes the need to stabilize grain-growing areas and enhance production and quality. AI-driven advancements in smart planting and farming technologies are crucial for achieving this goal. In Chongqing, the Nongpinhui platform leverages AI to balance the supply and demand of agricultural products, facilitating transactions and generating substantial income for farmers. In Lingshan county, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, AI technology is being used to digitally upgrade the entire production, supply, and marketing chains in the lychee industry, significantly boosting the total output value.
However, the integration of AI in agriculture is not without challenges. Farmers face a digital divide due to lack of digital literacy, and the potential leakage of farmland data poses a threat to national security. Additionally, the high procurement costs of AI equipment can be a financial burden. To address these issues, the authorities are encouraged to include AI skills training in vocational farmer training courses, establish a tiered protection framework for agricultural data, and support the emergence of new agricultural management entities and intelligent agricultural industrial parks. By doing so, AI can become a pivotal force in boosting agricultural efficiency, invigorating rural areas, increasing farmers’ incomes, and advancing the modernization of agriculture and the countryside in China.