Published: 09:58 AM, 09 April 2026
China's updated agricultural regulations take effect from May 1
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a State Council decree to publish a revised regulation on national agricultural census, which will take effect on May 1, 2026.
The revisions expand the scope of the census to include rural industrial development and village construction, while introducing new data-collection methods such as remote sensing, reports CGTN.
Data quality controls will be strengthened. The new rules spell out a post-census spot-check system and confidentiality obligations for census personnel.
The revised regulation also takes a tougher stance on data falsification. Those found guilty of fabricating or manipulating statistics face more severe penalties, ranging from higher fines to criminal prosecution.
The changes come as China prepares to conduct its fourth national agricultural census, aimed at capturing the current picture of agricultural development, rural construction, farmers' living standards and the outcomes of rural reform.
The census will cover agricultural production conditions, grain output, new quality productive forces in agriculture, rural development and rural residents' living conditions.
China's agriculture sector is the world's largest, producing massive quantities of rice, wheat, meat, and fish to feed over 1 billion people while prioritizing food security. It faces challenges with limited land, requiring a shift toward modernization, technology (drones, AI), and improved infrastructure. Major imports include soybeans and seafood, with Brazil and the U.S. as key suppliers.
China's experiments with agriculture have had mixed results in the past. What is certain is that today, it is among the world's largest producers and consumers of food.
Given the need to maintain social stability, food security is a key priority for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Despite a projected decrease in population, food demand has grown. Meanwhile, land and water scarcity, environmental degradation, and a shrinking rural workforce, threaten the long-term sustainability of China's food self-sufficiency.
>>Agency
