Authoritative Analysis of the Current Status and Trends in the Prevention and Control of Crop Pests and Diseases in China

For a major country like ours, with a population of 1.4 billion, the fundamental role of agriculture must never be neglected or weakened; “having food in hand ensures peace of mind” remains true at all times. Despite the severity of the COVID‑19 pandemic, Chinese society has remained stable, thanks in no small measure to the steady supply of grain and essential agricultural and sideline products—this was stated by General Secretary Xi Jinping on May 23, 2020, during his visit to members of the economic sector attending the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

“A nation’s foundation lies in agriculture; for the people, food is paramount; and food safety comes first.” At the 13th China Agrochemicals High-Level Forum held on September 7, Director Wei Qiwen of the National Agricultural Technology Extension Center provided an authoritative analysis of the current status and emerging trends in the prevention and control of crop diseases and pests in China—issues that are closely linked to both agriculture and food security.

More than 700 years BCE, China already had records of pest control. Today, China faces over 1,600 species of harmful organisms that threaten crops, including more than 830 insect pests, over 720 plant diseases, more than 60 weed species, and over 20 rodent pests. It can be said that the history of agricultural production is, in essence, a history of combating natural disasters. According to a survey by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), annually, crop losses due to pests and diseases worldwide amount to 20%–40% of projected yields, resulting in economic losses of approximately US$200 billion.

According to statistical analysis, over the past decade, rice pests and diseases—primarily the “three insects and three diseases”—have occurred on an average of 1.4 billion mu per year, with control measures applied to 2.2 billion mu annually. Wheat pests and diseases—mainly the “four insects and four diseases”—have averaged 940 million mu per year, with pest management carried out on 1.2 billion mu each year. Corn pests and diseases—centered on the “four insects and one disease”—have affected 1.06 billion mu annually, with control efforts covering 950 million mu. Fruit tree pests and diseases have averaged 450 million mu per year, with control measures implemented on 570 million mu, averting losses of more than 18 million tons. Vegetable pests and diseases have averaged 460 million mu per year, with control measures applied to 670 million mu, preventing losses exceeding 47 million tons. In addition, field weeds have infested an average of 1.45 billion mu annually, while herbicide use (expressed as 100% active ingredient) has surpassed 100,000 tons.

With the rapid development of modern agriculture, agricultural production has become increasingly intensive. However, influenced by climatic conditions and farming practices, crop diseases, pests, and weeds in China have been worsening year after year. To effectively manage these threats and to promote the sustainable development of a green ecological environment, the widespread adoption of green pest‑management technologies is of great significance. At the conference, Director Wei Qiwen noted that China’s capacity for green pest control has markedly improved: 100 “green pest‑control demonstration counties” have been established, the area under green pest‑control measures for major crops has exceeded 800 million mu, and the coverage rate has reached 37%. Meanwhile, specialized, unified pest‑control service organizations continue to grow in size and strength; today there are 98,643 such entities, employing 1.415 million personnel and operating 634,000 large and medium‑sized pesticide‑application machines. Their daily operational capacity now stands at 110 million mu, with unified pest‑control services covering 1.57 billion mu‑times, achieving a coverage rate of 40.1%. Furthermore, the recently promulgated Regulations on the Prevention and Control of Crop Pests and Diseases marks a new era in the legal framework governing the sector.

Due to factors such as global warming, the overuse of pesticides, changes in cropping practices, and the increasing number of transmission pathways, China is currently witnessing shifts in the patterns of crop pest and disease outbreaks, a growing problem of pesticide resistance, an increase in disaster‑prone factors, and heightened risks of the introduction of invasive pests and diseases. Director Wei Qiwen has analyzed six key characteristics of the occurrence and control of major crop pests and diseases in China.

First, the recurrence frequency of major pests and diseases—such as rice planthoppers, rice blast, wheat scab, and potato late blight—is increasing.

Second, migratory pests such as the fall armyworm, beet armyworm, locusts, rice leafroller, and grass webworm have been occurring in succession.

Third, there have been outbreaks of epidemic diseases such as wheat scab, stripe rust, rice blast, and potato late blight.

Fourth, the incidence of common pests and diseases—such as the European corn borer, the rice stem borer, wheat sheath blight, and powdery mildew—has remained stable while trending downward.

Fifth, newly emerging pests and diseases such as the fall armyworm, rice black-streaked dwarf disease, white‑browed grass stem borer, and two‑spotted armyworm have been brought under effective control.

Sixth, major epidemic‑prevention and control measures have yielded positive results: for example, the area affected by citrus Huanglongbing has decreased by 26%, the spread of the codling moth into the Loess Plateau and the Bohai Rim apple‑producing regions has been effectively contained, and the dispersal of the Colorado potato beetle in the northeastern border areas has been successfully curbed.

In response, Director Wei Qiwen proposed that, in terms of prevention and control strategies, we should comprehensively advance integrated management of crop diseases and pests; simultaneously promote the integration of unified pest management and green pest control; and synergistically advance precision pest management and precise application of pesticides. Regarding monitoring and early warning, it is essential to improve the monitoring and early‑warning system, pursue standardized, information‑based, and intelligent development, and standardize the dissemination of pest and disease information.

Turning to pesticide research and development, Director Wei Qiwen emphasized that pesticides must be environmentally friendly—both the active ingredients and the adjuvants should meet green‑chemistry standards. He called for greater attention to green small‑molecule pesticides, botanical‑origin pesticides, and water‑based formulations. At the same time, pesticide formulations must align with pest‑control requirements, minimizing drift and resisting evaporation, while their physical forms should support precision application. Special consideration should be given to low‑volume, low‑altitude spraying and aviation‑specific formulations.

Source: Pesticide Market Information