6. Development Of Agricultural Support Systems
Given the new development stage of agriculture and rural economy and the new situation after accession to the WTO, in order to increase benefits from agricultural production, sharpen the competitive edges of farm produce and increase farmers’ income, and provide strong support for the development of agriculture and rural economy, China has called on intensified efforts for the development of breeding system of improved varieties and breeds, innovation and application system of agricultural science and technology, plant and animal protection system, quality and safety system of farm produce, agricultural information and market system, agricultural resources and eco-environment protection system, and socialized service and management system of agriculture.
6.1 Breeding system of improved varieties and breeds. This system aims at ensuring production and supply of the most basic means of agricultural production and dealing with problems of quality and benefits of farm produce from the root causes. The system includes crop seed projects (protection of wild plants included), projects for breeding improved varieties and breeds (species protection of domestic animals and poultry included), and projects for developing of improved aquatic breeds.
6.2 Innovation and application system of agricultural science and technology. This system aims at providing a basic driving force and guarantee for sustainable development of agriculture, improving innovative capacity of agricultural science and technology and the application of achievements made in this field. The system consists of projects for agricultural science and technology innovation (mainly referring to the development of science and technology facilities at state-level, key laboratories of applied agro-sciences and key experimental bases for agriculture research), projects for transfer and application of achievements of agricultural science and technology (projects for industrialization of agriculture high-tech included), demonstration projects for mechanized production of major farm crops, and programs for training of farmers.
6.3 Animal and plant protection system. This system aims at preventing and controlling outbreak of pests and diseases of crops, livestock and poultry so as to minimize losses caused by agricultural disasters. The system includes plant protection projects, projects for prevention and control of livestock and poultry epidemics, and projects for aquatic animal protection.
6.4 Quality and safety system of farm produce. This system aims at reinforcing standardized production, inspection and testing of agricultural (including animal husbandry, fisheries) inputs and outputs as well as intensifying efforts for standardization, inspection and testing of production environment so as to ensure food safety for consumers. The system includes quality-inspection projects for farm produce (including animal and aquatic products), and demonstration base construction projects for standardization of competitive farm produce.
6.5 Agricultural information and market system. This system aims at building up platforms for governments at various levels to analyze and release information on agriculture, and providing market information for farmers, intermediary organs and leading enterprises so as to resolve problems involved in impeded information flow of agricultural production and trade. The system includes agricultural information projects and construction projects for agricultural wholesale markets at producing areas.
6.5.1 Agricultural market system. Developing and improving agricultural markets have always been a key element in agricultural reform and development. Since 1978, the development of agricultural markets has experienced the following four stages. A. From 1978 to 1984, it was featured by restoration and development of bazaars. At the same time, agricultural wholesale markets began to emerge. B. From 1985 to 1991, fewer types and reduced amount of farm produce were still under the government monopoly in terms of sales and purchase. On the contrary, the scale and coverage of farm markets were expanded gradually. C. From 1992 to 1997, various agricultural markets developed fast with their respective distinctive features due to their respective locations in producing areas, close to consumer markets or in distribution centers. In the mean time, markets with multiple operators came to the fore. After 1998, agricultural markets entered into a readjustment period for standard-oriented operations under the control of laws and regulations. At present, the supply, demand and pricing of agriculture products are primarily regulated by market force. Over 90 percent of farm produce is traded on markets.
6.5.2 Agricultural information system. Since 1990s, the development of agricultural information system in the country has registered tremendous progress. Up to now, a comprehensive rural economic information network has been built up, consisting of the China Agricultural Information Network and 18 specialized networks for wholesale market prices, supply and demand for farm produce, agricultural science, technology and education, crop farming, animal production and health, aquaculture, state farms, township enterprises, agricultural mechanization, feeds, green food and pesticides. Several databanks have also been established such as basic databanks of rural economy, agricultural import and export, agro-metrology, farm product prices, new cash crop varieties, agro-enterprises, projects for inviting businessmen to invest in agriculture, and agricultural commodities on wholesale markets.
6.6 Agricultural resources and eco-environment protection system. This system aims at resolving problems related to effective protection and utilization of agricultural resources and eco-environment so as to realize sustainable development of agriculture and rural economy. The system includes grassland ecological protection projects, better eco-environment projects for better homeland and better-off life, demonstration projects for conservation tillage, the prevention and control of agro-pollution projects, soil-fertility enhancing projects, demonstration projects for water-saving farming in arid areas, and projects of protection and restoration of fishery eco-environment.
6.7 Socialized service and management system of agriculture. This system aims at providing farmers with pre-, during- and post-production technical services, and providing management for agriculture and rural economy in accordance with regulations and laws. The system covers service network development projects for use of agricultural technical know-how at grass-root level like training courses for rural labors seeking for job opportunities in urban areas; infrastructure development projects for agricultural law enforcement service, including enforcement service of regulations and laws on plant and animal quarantine, fishery administration, quality and safety of farm produce, protection of new plant varieties, safety management of transgenetic farm produce, seeds, pesticides, fertilizer, animal drugs, feeds, agricultural machinery and other means of agricultural production; and construction projects of state-level fishing harbors.
