BEIJING: China has underlined the importance of the role of smallholder farming as G20 members gather to address the global hunger and poverty crisis that’s been worsened by climate change, conflicts and trade barriers.
That was the message sent out by Vice-Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ma Youxiang at the G20 meeting of agricultural ministers held in Cuiaba, Brazil, in September.
Smallholder farming — a major source of livelihood for millions of people worldwide — is foundational to China’s sprawling agricultural sector.
According to an agricultural census in 2016, small-scale farmers in China account for over 98 percent of agricultural operating entities, with an average plot of about 0.52 of a hectare per household.
Drawing inspiration from the nation’s success in prioritizing the group in its fight against rural poverty and ensuring food security, he told a mix of agricultural officials and representatives from international organizations, including the World Bank, that the Chinese government has worked to empower these farmers with technologies, help build their capacity, and offer financial support — all aimed at enabling their integration with modern agriculture. To make food production more efficient, the vice-minister proposed accelerating the development of agricultural machinery and equipment tailor-made for smallholder farmers and improving the social services they need. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
