The journal Qiushi has published an important article by General Secretary Xi Jinping titled “Effectively Strengthen Farmland Protection and Promote the Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Utilization of Saline-Alkali Soils.”

　　BEIJING, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) — The 23rd issue of the journal Qiushi, to be published on December 1, will feature an important article by Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, entitled “Effectively Strengthen Farmland Protection and Promote Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Utilization of Saline-Alkali Soils.”

　　The article emphasizes the need to deeply recognize the importance and urgency of strengthening farmland protection. Food security is a matter of paramount national concern, and arable land is the lifeblood of grain production. Our Party has consistently attached great importance to the issue of farmland protection. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the CPC Central Committee has introduced a series of stringent measures, safeguarding the red line for arable land and initially reversing the trend of its continued decline. At the same time, it is crucial to remain fully aware that China’s basic national conditions—large population and limited land—have not changed; the problems of “non-agricultural use” and “non-grain cultivation” of farmland remain acute; the foundation for upholding the arable‑land red line remains fragile; and substantial deficits persist in agricultural water conservancy infrastructure. On the new journey of the new era, the task of protecting arable land has not become any easier—it has grown even more daunting.

　　The article outlines the overarching approach and key measures for strengthening farmland protection. It emphasizes that farmland conservation is a systemic undertaking, and that, at present, particular attention must be paid to several critical imperatives: balancing quantity with quality, enforcing the law rigorously, advancing reforms in a coordinated manner, and ensuring sustainable use. The article further stresses that safeguarding farmland—the very foundation of food security—requires several decisive, concrete steps. First, we must firmly assign responsibility for farmland protection. The latest round of territorial spatial planning has clearly defined farmland and permanent basic farmland protection targets for each region, with specific land‑use designations mapped out. Provincial Party committees and governments must shoulder this responsibility wholeheartedly, ensuring that the red line of 1.8 billion mu of arable land is never crossed. Second, we must make every effort to enhance farmland quality. We need to transform the 1.546 billion mu of permanent basic farmland into modern, high‑yield, stable‑production fields that are well suited to cultivation and capable of delivering reliable yields regardless of drought or flood. This entails accelerating legislation on farmland quality protection, implementing black‑soil conservation projects, intensifying efforts to remediate acidified and otherwise degraded farmland, and launching initiatives to boost soil organic matter. Third, we must reform and improve the system of balancing occupied and replenished farmland. All forms of farmland occupation should be brought under unified management of the occupation‑replenishment balance. At the same time, we will refine the mechanisms for verifying the quality of replenished farmland. Fourth, we must motivate both farmers and local governments to protect farmland and prioritize grain production. This includes establishing robust mechanisms to guarantee farmers’ incomes from grain farming, promoting various forms of moderately scaled agricultural operations, and putting in place compensation schemes for major grain‑producing regions, thereby fostering collaborative efforts among major producers, major consumers, and regions achieving a balance between production and consumption. In addition, we will strengthen the governance of abandoned farmland by conducting a comprehensive inventory and advancing its utilization through targeted, differentiated approaches. Fifth, we must actively develop non‑traditional farmland resources. By stepping up scientific research and investment in production, exploring effective development models, and integrating the principle of “storing grain in the land” with “storing grain in technology,” we can harness these alternative resources for agricultural production. Finally, while strict enforcement is essential to protecting farmland, it must be applied judiciously—avoiding indiscriminate measures or arbitrary, one‑size‑fits‑all interventions. We must remain grounded in reality, respect natural laws, safeguard farmers’ interests, intensify public outreach and interpretation, allow appropriate transition periods, and advance reforms gradually and in an orderly fashion.

　　The article emphasizes the need to effectively carry out the comprehensive improvement and utilization of saline–alkali lands. Such efforts represent a crucial component of farmland protection and enhancement. China has extensive areas of saline–alkali land, and in some regions, soil salinization and alkalization are intensifying, making comprehensive remediation and sustainable use of these lands all the more important. It is essential to fully tap the development and utilization potential of saline–alkali lands, strengthen the upgrading and transformation of existing saline–alkali farmland, effectively curb the trend of soil salinization and alkalization, steadily expand agricultural production space, enhance overall agricultural productivity, and make significant strides in developing specialty agriculture on saline–alkali soils. To this end, priority should be given to the following key tasks: First, conduct a thorough inventory of saline–alkali land resources to lay a solid foundation. Second, undertake top-level design by formulating a master plan for the integrated utilization of saline–alkali lands, along with specific implementation plans. Third, adopt differentiated strategies, carrying out targeted management and improvement of saline–alkali farmland based on regional and land‑type classifications. Fourth, integrate grain, economic crops, and feed production, leveraging saline–alkali lands in ways suited to local conditions to secure food from diverse saline–alkali resources. Fifth, combine “matching crops to land” with “matching land to crops,” accelerating the breeding of salt‑tolerant and alkali‑tolerant specialty varieties and vigorously promoting proven practices for the remediation and improvement of saline–alkali soils. Sixth, establish fiscal and financial policies to support the integrated utilization of saline–alkali lands, ensuring robust resource and funding support.

[Editor-in-charge: Zhao Wenhan]

Source: Xinhua Net