China Unveils 2026 'No.1 Central Document' to Drive Agricultural Modernization and Rural Revitalization

Beijing Prioritizes Rural Development and Food Security

Beijing, China – On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, China unveiled its 'No.1 central document' for the year, a key policy statement signaling the nation's top priorities. The document, jointly issued by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, outlines ambitious plans to advance agricultural and rural modernization, promote all-around rural revitalization, and transform rural potential into significant growth momentum. This marks the 14th consecutive year that the 'No.1 central document' has focused on agriculture and rural affairs since 2012, underscoring its critical importance to national strategy.

The policy framework is designed to address weak links in agriculture and rural areas, aiming for substantial progress in building China's agricultural strength throughout the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). Officials emphasized the imperative to safeguard national food security, consolidate poverty alleviation achievements, and ensure more prosperous lives for farmers.

Key Pillars of the Modernization Plan

The 2026 'No.1 central document' details a multi-faceted approach, summarized by an official of the Central Rural Work Leading Group as 'four key tasks and two major supporting guarantees'. The core objectives include:

• Enhancing Agricultural Production Capacity: Efforts will focus on stabilizing grain and oilseed output, diversifying agricultural imports, and increasing support for farmers. China aims to maintain grain output above 650 million tons annually and develop 'high-quality' farmland.
• Promoting Stable Income Growth for Farmers: The document calls for coordinated policies on prices, subsidies, and insurance, alongside the development of county-level industries. In 2025, the per capita disposable income of farmers reached 24,456 yuan (approximately $3,525), with the urban-rural income ratio narrowing to 2.31:1.
• Advancing Livable Rural Villages: Plans include constructing beautiful, business-friendly rural communities in line with local conditions.
• Strengthening Agri-Tech Innovation: Significant investment is directed towards integrating AI with farming, advancing industrialized biotech cultivation, and supporting leading agri-tech firms. By 2028, the goal is to achieve a digital integration rate in agricultural production above 32%.

Strategic Focus on Food Security and Sustainability

A central theme of the document is the unwavering commitment to national food security. This involves not only boosting domestic production but also diversifying agricultural imports to reduce reliance on traditional exporters and expand trade with the Global South. The policy also underscores ecological sustainability, with ongoing efforts to reduce fertilizer use and increase crop input efficiency.

The document also highlights the importance of strengthening institutional and mechanism innovation, alongside enhancing the Communist Party of China's comprehensive leadership over work related to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers. This comprehensive strategy aims to lay a solid foundation for China's broader modernization drive by ensuring robust agricultural development and a thriving rural sector.