China, with its vast land and a population of over 1.4 billion people, has a highly complex agriculture sector. It combines ancient practices with modern advancements, offering much to learn.
With a history spanning thousands of years, China is a major agricultural producer, growing a wide variety of crops including rice, wheat, corn, soybeans, cotton, and many fruits and vegetables.
To introduce Chinese agriculture, Agrishow Digital invited Luiz Denardin, an agronomist with extensive knowledge of the Asian agricultural market. Keep up with us!
The strength of Chinese agriculture: high productivity and technological advancement
Like in Brazil, China's agricultural sector has a significant impact on the country's economy and society, supporting a population of over 1.4 billion people.
Chinese agriculture is an example of how a country can feed a massive population with limited natural resources and environmental challenges.
However, this puts significant pressure on the country's agricultural resources, requiring efficient and sustainable food production.
In recent years, China has faced additional challenges such as the global COVID-19 health crisis and geopolitical tensions, which have highlighted the importance of food security.
“The COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, exposed vulnerabilities in the food supply chain, leading the Chinese government to intensify efforts to ensure food self-sufficiency,” notes Luiz Denardin.
In response, China has focused on increasing domestic food production and reducing reliance on imports, especially for essential products like grains and oilseeds.
Technological advancements are growing!
To tackle these challenges, Denardin highlights that China has heavily invested in advanced agricultural technologies.
“The implementation of technologies like precision farming, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence has been crucial for increasing productivity and efficiency,” he says.
Moreover, the country has explored new cultivation techniques such as vertical farming and smart greenhouses to maximize the use of available land and improve food security.
An important aspect is the focus on agricultural policies that encourage innovation and modernization.
The Chinese government has promoted structural reforms, such as easing land lease rules and supporting small and medium-sized farms in adopting modern technologies.
In other words, Chinese agriculture is characterized by a delicate balance between tradition and innovation, with an increasing focus on technologies that can ensure long-term food security and sustainability.
“The pursuit of food self-sufficiency, combined with technological advancements, is a strategic priority for the country,” states the expert.
Main Chinese agriculture products
Chinese agriculture is extremely diverse and productive, serving both domestic and foreign markets. Key crops and agricultural products in the country include:
Grains: Rice, wheat, corn, and soybeans are widely cultivated. China is the world's largest producer of rice and beans, and one of the largest producers of wheat, corn, and soybeans;
Oilseeds: In addition to soybeans, other oilseeds like peanuts and sunflowers are important for oil production;
Fruits and vegetables: including apples, pears, oranges, tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, and bell peppers;
Cotton: China is a major cotton producer, used in the strong textile industry;
Tobacco: tobacco cultivation is significant in some Chinese regions;
Tea: Tea is a traditional beverage in China, making it one of the largest producers and consumers of tea worldwide.
China is also a major producer of pork, poultry, and fish.
Climate and geography impact production
Similar to Brazil, China is a country of continental dimensions with a wide range of climates.
This climatic variation, from temperate to desert climates, significantly impacts the distribution of agricultural activities and crop selection.
Here are some of the climates in China and their main agricultural activities:
Temperate Continental (North China)
Found in regions like Beijing and the North China Plain, this climate features cold, dry winters and hot, humid summers.
This vast alluvial plain is a key area for wheat and corn production, taking advantage of the growing season from spring to autumn.
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Subarctic (Northeast)
The Northeast, including Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning provinces, has long, harsh winters and short, hot summers.
This region is crucial for soybean and corn production, benefiting from fertile soils with high organic matter.
Temperate (Central China)
The Yangtze River Basin and adjacent areas have a temperate climate with well-distributed rainfall throughout the year.
“This area is extremely fertile and supports the cultivation of rice, wheat, rapeseed, and various horticultural crops,” adds Denardin.
Subtropical (South China)
The South, including provinces like Guangdong, Guangxi, and Yunnan, has a subtropical climate with high humidity and warm temperatures year-round.
This region is ideal for growing rice and tropical fruits.
Desert and Semi-Arid (West China)
Areas like the Gobi Desert and the Tibetan Plateau have arid and semi-arid climates with low precipitation and large temperature swings.
Consequently, agriculture is limited but includes crops like cotton, especially in Xinjiang, which uses irrigation systems for production.
Chinese agricultural system and technology
The agricultural system and technology showcase the discrepancies in Chinese agriculture. On one hand, there is land use rights but not full ownership, and on the other, significant technological advancements.
Historically, China has adopted a collective land ownership system. Farmers have the right to use but not fully own the land.
According to Luiz Denardin, this system is managed by village cooperatives or rural committees but is changing.
“In recent years, reforms have allowed for longer leases and greater flexibility in transferring land use rights, promoting greater modernization and efficiency in agricultural production.”
Some lands are still state-owned, especially those used for strategic crops.
Meanwhile, due to global food security risks, China has significantly invested in agricultural technology, including:
Precision agriculture;
Biotechnology;
Water management systems;
Vertical farms, among other advancements.
A practical example in Chinese agriculture cited by Denardin is the use of drones. “Increasingly advanced, drones are used for monitoring crops and applying pesticides and fertilizers.”
Sustainability gains increasing attention
China is increasingly focusing on developing crop varieties resistant to pests and climate change.
This is part of the sustainability efforts in Chinese agriculture, which also include:
Crop rotation;
Rational use of pesticides;
Adoption of biopesticides;
Soil and water conservation practices.
“The Chinese government has also promoted organic and regenerative farming practices and the reduction of chemical fertilizers and pesticides,” adds Denardin.
Challenges facing Chinese agriculture
Despite being one of the largest and most advanced agricultural sectors in the world, Chinese agriculture faces several challenges requiring innovative and sustainable solutions.
Some of the main challenges highlighted by Luiz Denardin are:
Soil degradation;
Water scarcity;
The need to increase agricultural efficiency amid climate change;
Growing urbanization, which puts pressure on agricultural land and rural labor.
Additionally, a major difficulty faced by Chinese agriculture, according to the agronomist, is accessing rural producers.
“Due to the large number of agricultural properties, direct access between academia/technology companies and farmers is hindered, slowing the process of spreading knowledge and new technologies for the evolution of Chinese agriculture.”
Curiosities about Chinese agriculture
Chinese agriculture is marked by a rich tradition of festivals and celebrations, such as the Autumn Harvest Festival.
The country also has traditional agricultural practices, such as terrace farming in mountainous areas, which adapt the land to retain water and facilitate flood-irrigated rice cultivation.
In culinary aspects, Denardin notes cultural habits such as the consumption of Peking duck, which is more than just a meal. “The dish is a symbol of hospitality and celebration, often served on special occasions and at parties.”
Similarly, Chinese tea is not just a beverage in China. It plays a significant role in social and cultural rituals.
