Innovations in agricultural modernization exemplary

China's active promotion of scientific and technological innovation for agricultural modernization, as well as moderated economic operations for rural modernization, not only lead to higher productivity and better livelihoods, but also provide inspiration and opportunities for the rest of the developing world.

For years, there have been significant increases in the national agricultural science and technology contribution rate. This year, China heads firmly on its journey into agricultural transformation. The ambitious pursuit of progress and global cooperation is setting the stage for a year marked by innovation, sustainability and collaborative endeavors demonstrating robust support for high-quality agricultural development in partner countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Thanks to China's 5G telecom advancement, technologies including the internet of things, big data and the Beidou Navigation Satellite System are being widely applied in crop production, enabling practices such as precision seeding, smart irrigation and the use of drones for plant protection.

In some areas, farmers use their cellphones to monitor crop growth, with sensors in greenhouses providing crucial data for environmental control.

The mechanization rate of crop cultivation and harvesting nationwide has surpassed 73 percent, and is even higher in the vast cotton fields of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

In addition, researchers are focusing on cultivating new agricultural species, with China independently developing new varieties of white shrimp and white-feather broiler chickens so far, capturing over 20 percent of the national market. China also pledges to bolster the construction of laboratories, manufacturing innovation centers and other agricultural platforms while enhancing stable support mechanisms for basic research in agricultural science and technology, both at home and in partner countries.

The domestic sci-tech innovation system is characterized by clear tiers, division of labor, cooperation and moderate competition, facilitating breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies. This progress is guided by principles such as ecological priority, green development, adaptation to local conditions, and scientific planning.

The primary aim of China is to ensure sufficient supplies of grain and major agricultural products for at least 1.4 billion people and to constantly improve their livelihood in its people-centered governance. Thus the protection, utilization and upgrading of various agricultural resources, upgrading of yield, healthy aquaculture, labor productivity and green development will be strengthened, along with the accelerated implementation of major scientific and technological projects.

China has long been dedicated to improving agriculture in African, Asian, Pacific Island and Latin American countries engaged with specific BRI projects. Chinese technicians have spent lots of time helping local farmers, sharing their agricultural expertise and technological achievements.

In addition, China's colleges and universities have intensified the training of foreign technicians and scientists in agriculture. It can be said that the more China advances in agricultural and rural modernization with science and technology, the more opportunities and fruits other developing countries will yield.

Moreover, fundamentally central to the modernization of China's agriculture and rural areas is the consolidation and improvement of the basic rural social and economic operation system, the development of new rural collective economies, and the advancement of reforms in the rural land system aimed at granting farmers adequate property rights and interests. Diverging from the privatization model prevalent in the West, China's rural land system stands as a testament to the protection of the rights of millions of farmers and the safeguarding of the lawful land rights and interests of rural residents who have transitioned to urban areas.

The latest Government Work Report, delivered by Premier Li Qiang to the National People's Congress on Tuesday, reaffirms the country's positive trajectory toward agricultural and rural modernization.

The Chinese leadership remains committed to ensuring the stable supply of grain and major agricultural products, and works to stabilize the sown area of grain, improve yield per unit area, accelerate the establishment of a modern seed system, promote environmentally friendly and healthy aquaculture practices, and optimize modes of agricultural production.

Continuous innovation in agricultural production technologies, coupled with steady enhancements in the quality of agricultural products and the widespread adoption of agricultural mechanization and digitization, vividly exemplifies China's comprehensive agricultural prowess and potential, a solid basis for cooperation with others.

China's sustainable agricultural development, ever-improving product quality and selfless provision of expertise in building shared communities with other countries will not only fulfill the growing demands of its people, but also bolster worldwide agricultural development, bringing better lives for all.

The author is executive director of the Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future in Islamabad. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.