Zhongjing Comment: "Four Agriculture" paves the way for a strong agricultural country

The Proposal of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Formulating the 15th Five Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development proposes to coordinate the development of science and technology agriculture, green agriculture, quality agriculture, and brand agriculture. The 'Four Agricultures' are like a golden key that can unlock many challenges on the road to building a strong agricultural country.
In September 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed during his inspection in Heilongjiang to comprehensively promote science and technology agriculture, green agriculture, quality agriculture, and brand agriculture; In February 2025, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the coordinated development of science and technology agriculture, green agriculture, quality agriculture, and brand agriculture when listening to the work report of Jilin Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government. This time, the concept of "Four Agriculture" appeared in the "15th Five Year Plan" proposal, demonstrating that it is not only a high-quality and efficient development path for agriculture in Northeast China, but also has guiding significance for other regions in the country.
Nowadays, the production of most bulk agricultural products in China ranks first in the world, and the contradiction of insufficient total quantity has been basically resolved. However, there is still a gap in agricultural labor productivity, contribution rate of agricultural technological progress, and sustainable development capacity compared to world agricultural powers. Due to factors such as insufficient per capita resources and a high historical debt, China's agricultural modernization is relatively lagging behind, production efficiency is relatively low, the industrial chain is short, comparative benefits are low, and product competitiveness is insufficient. It is urgent to make up for shortcomings and strengths. It can be seen that the "Four Agriculture" aims to solve precisely the thorny problems faced by farmers and the prominent challenges faced by agriculture.
Technological agriculture. Only with strong technology can we achieve high output, excellent quality, and good efficiency. During the 14th Five Year Plan period, the overall level of agricultural scientific and technological innovation in China has entered the forefront of the world. Taking the seed industry as an example, the competitive advantages of seed sources such as rice, wheat, and laying hens have been strengthened, while the gap between varieties such as corn, soybeans, and pigs and the international advanced level continues to narrow. However, agricultural technology still faces prominent problems such as low-level duplication and low conversion efficiency. To promote the joint efforts and complementary advantages of over 800 agricultural research institutions and more than 120000 scientific researchers across the country; Based on practical promotion of applicable agricultural machinery, suitable varieties, and practical models, to make farmers willing to make good use of them.
Green agriculture. Agricultural land is not only a means of production, but also an ecological asset; Agriculture not only produces food, but also produces ecological products. Promoting green development in agriculture is a revolution in the agricultural development concept. Although environmental pollution and ecological degradation in the agricultural sector have improved, the supply of green ecological products is still far from sufficient. During the 15th Five Year Plan period, we will continue to promote the reduction and efficiency improvement of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and coordinate the promotion of water, fertilizer, and medicine conservation. But a higher requirement is to explore "green+" characteristic industries, leisure agriculture and other models to realize the value of ecological products.
Quality agriculture. People's philosophy is to eat a good pear instead of a basket of rotten pears. Good nutrition, good appearance, and delicious taste are external manifestations of quality; Standard guidance, full chain control, and risk management are the inherent supports of quality. To promote the transformation of agriculture from scale expansion to quality improvement, it is necessary to accelerate the transformation of production methods and management concepts. We should not only judge heroes by quantity, but also by quality. Quality agriculture relies on outstanding quality and distinctive features to win. We can develop characteristic and advantageous agricultural products, and focus on staggered and unique products.
Brand agriculture. Brand represents trust and is an amplifier of the value of agricultural products. Observing the market, popular products cannot be separated from a profound understanding of consumers' purchasing habits, individual pursuits, and cultural aesthetics. Nowadays, agriculture is also striving to change the situation of "disheveled" entering the market in the past, and is beginning to "dress up" to strengthen various links after childbirth, providing consumers with certainty and standardized experience through brand endorsement. Advantageous production areas may concentrate on building regional public brands and cultivating a group of "big and excellent" and "small and beautiful" product brands. Taking the brand as the driving force, developing new products and selling points, and expanding new channels and formats.
The "Four Agriculture" are not separated from each other, but like the four wheels of a car, they work together to promote the construction of a strong agricultural country. If one of them is not implemented, the other effects will also be greatly reduced. In addition, there is also a certain degree of interdependence between them. The implementation of the "Four Agriculture" requires both systematic thinking and emphasis.
Specifically, we will adhere to technology empowerment, develop technology-based agriculture, and increase the contribution rate of agricultural technology; Adhere to ecological priority, develop green agriculture, and promote sustainable agricultural development; Persist in improving quality and efficiency, developing quality agriculture, and increasing the supply of high-quality agricultural products; Adhere to market orientation, develop branded agriculture, and enhance the competitiveness of agricultural products.