Report on China’s Agricultural Green Development and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (2024)

The China Agricultural Green Development Report 2024, released by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and the China Agricultural Green Development Research Society, documents significant progress in the nation’s agricultural sector. The findings indicate a strong alignment with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing ecological protection, resource efficiency, and green, low-carbon practices.

Advancements in Sustainable Land Management and Food Security (SDG 2, SDG 15)

China has made substantial strides in protecting terrestrial ecosystems and ensuring food security through enhanced land management practices, directly contributing to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

• High-Standard Farmland: Over 5.33 million hectares (80 million mu) of high-standard farmland were constructed or upgraded in 2024, improving agricultural quality and efficiency.
• National Soil Survey: The third national soil survey advanced significantly, completing the collection of over 2.87 million sampling points and 3.11 million samples to inform pollution control and ecological protection strategies.

Reduction of Chemical Inputs for Environmental Protection (SDG 12, SDG 6, SDG 3)

Efforts to achieve sustainable consumption and production patterns (SDG 12) are evident in the sustained reduction of chemical inputs, which also supports SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by minimizing agricultural pollution.

1. Chemical Fertilizer Reduction: Application totaled 49.88 million tonnes in 2024, representing a 5 percent decrease from 2020 levels.
2. Pesticide Use Reduction: The use of pesticides in crop farming was recorded at 242,000 tonnes, continuing a downward trend for the eighth consecutive year.

Conservation of Genetic Resources for Biodiversity (SDG 15, SDG 2)

In line with SDG 15.5 (protecting biodiversity) and SDG 2.5 (maintaining genetic diversity), China has improved its biological agricultural resource protection and management system.

• A 2024 national census confirmed the permanent preservation of:
  • 580,000 crop germplasm resources
  • 1.4 million livestock and poultry genetic materials
  • 270,000 strains of microbial agricultural resources

Economic Empowerment and Poverty Reduction in Rural Areas (SDG 1, SDG 8)

Progress in green agriculture has been coupled with robust economic growth for rural populations, addressing SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

• Rural Income Growth: The per capita disposable income of rural residents reached 23,119 yuan (approximately 3,220 USD) in 2024.
• Real-Term Increase: This figure represents a 6.3 percent year-on-year increase in real terms, which is 1.9 percentage points higher than the growth rate for urban residents.

Innovation in Agricultural Practices (SDG 9)

Technological and digital advancements are fostering innovation and upgrading infrastructure within the agricultural sector, contributing to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

• Mechanization: The comprehensive mechanization rate for crop cultivation, planting, and harvesting surpassed 75 percent nationwide.
• Digital Resource Management: China advanced the systematic digital management of its agricultural resources and strengthened its network of long-term observation stations for green agricultural development.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

The following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are connected to the issues highlighted in the article:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The article’s core focus is on agricultural development, including enhancing farmland quality, increasing productivity through mechanization, ensuring sustainable practices by reducing chemical inputs, and preserving genetic resources for future food security. It also directly addresses farmer incomes, a key component of this goal.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The report’s emphasis on “green development” and “green, low-carbon practices” aligns with this goal. Specifically, the “sustained reductions of chemical inputs,” such as fertilizers and pesticides, points to efforts to achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and reduce waste, which is central to Target 12.4.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  The article discusses strengthening “ecological protection and pollution control of existing farmland,” conducting a “third national soil survey,” and building “high-standard farmland.” These actions are directly related to protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and halting land degradation.

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The report highlights a “robust increase in farming incomes,” noting that the per capita disposable income of rural residents grew by 6.3% in real terms. This directly contributes to the goal of ending poverty in all its forms, particularly in rural areas.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article mentions that the “comprehensive mechanization rate of crop cultivation, planting and harvesting exceeding 75 percent.” This increase in mechanization leads to higher agricultural productivity, which is a driver of economic growth as outlined in Target 8.2.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.

   The article supports this by reporting a “comprehensive mechanization rate…exceeding 75 percent,” which boosts productivity, and a “6.3 percent year on year” real-term increase in the “per capita disposable income of rural residents.”

2. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.

   This target is addressed through the construction of “over 80 million mu (about 5.33 million hectares) of high-standard farmland,” the strengthening of “ecological protection and pollution control,” and the reduction of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

3. Target 2.5: By 2030, maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and their related wild species.

   The article directly references this target by stating that the national census revealed the “permanent preservation of 580,000 crop germplasm resources, 1.4 million livestock and poultry genetic materials, and 270,000 strains of microbial agricultural resources.”

4. Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.

   The implementation of the “third national soil survey” by collecting “over 2.87 million sampling points” is a direct action to monitor and assess land and soil quality, which is fundamental to restoring degraded land.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator for Target 2.3 (Productivity): The “comprehensive mechanization rate of crop cultivation, planting and harvesting” is an indicator of agricultural productivity. The article states this rate “exceeding 75 percent nationally.”
• Indicator for Target 2.3 (Income): The “per capita disposable income of rural residents” is a direct indicator. The article provides the value of “23,119 yuan (about 3,220 U.S. dollars) in 2024” and its growth rate of “6.3 percent year on year in real terms.”
• Indicator for Target 2.4: The amount of agricultural area under sustainable practices is an indicator. The article quantifies this with “over 80 million mu (about 5.33 million hectares) of high-standard farmland being built or upgraded in 2024.”
• Indicator 2.5.1 (Number of plant and animal genetic resources secured): The article provides precise figures for this indicator: “580,000 crop germplasm resources,” “1.4 million livestock and poultry genetic materials,” and “270,000 strains of microbial agricultural resources.”
• Indicators for sustainable practices (related to Target 2.4 and 12.4): The usage amounts of chemical inputs serve as key indicators. The article reports “application of chemical fertilizers totaled 49.88 million tonnes in 2024 — a 5 percent decrease from 2020” and “Pesticide use…amounted to 242,000 tonnes…maintaining a downward trend.”
• Indicator for Target 15.3 (Proportion of land that is degraded): The national soil survey, with its “collection of over 2.87 million sampling points and 3.11 million samples,” is the data collection process for this indicator, allowing for the assessment of land quality and degradation.

Summary of Findings

Source: azernews.az