Pressures on farmland in China will increase

Significance Beijing’s heavy emphasis on grain cultivation and total arable area aims to guarantee long-term food security and self-sufficiency, but that has been challenged by land encroachment, natural disasters, urbanisation, structural changes in farmland use, shifting dietary trends and local governments’ land sales. Impacts Farmland protection policies that curb land sales for non-agricultural commercial development will erode local governments’ revenue. Measures protecting farmland and maximising grain output will imperil the benefits of income-enhancing agricultural diversification. Denting farmers’ incomes will endanger fulfilment of another of Xi’s signature goals -- that of reducing rural poverty.