Ministry of Agriculture: China has achieved zero growth in the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides three years ahead of schedule.

Release Date:

2018-07-30

This morning, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs released information on agricultural ecological and environmental protection efforts. At the press conference, Liao Xiyuan, Director-General of the Department of Science and Education of the Ministry, stated that in 2017, the fertilizer utilization rate for China’s three major grain crops—rice, corn, and wheat—stood at 37.8%, while the pesticide utilization rate was 38.8%. As a result, the goal of achieving zero growth in fertilizer and pesticide use was accomplished three years ahead of schedule. Deputy Director-General Yang Lisheng of the Department of Planting Industry noted at the press conference that since 2015, the Ministry has implemented an initiative to achieve zero growth in the use of fertilizers and pesticides by 2020, yielding significant results. These are reflected in two key outcomes: first, the overall volume of fertilizer and pesticide application has declined; second, the efficiency with which these inputs are utilized has improved.

　　This morning, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs released information on efforts to protect the agricultural ecological environment. At the press conference, Liao Xiyuan, Director-General of the Department of Science, Technology and Education of the ministry, stated that in 2017, China’s rice, Corn 、 Wheat Three major food crops Fertilizer The utilization rate is 37.8%. Pesticide The utilization rate is 38.8%. Fertilizer Pesticide Zero growth was achieved three years ahead of schedule.
　　At the press conference, Deputy Director-General Yang Lisheng of the Department of Planting Industry stated that since 2015, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has been implementing initiatives extending to 2020. Fertilizer Pesticide The zero‑growth initiative for resource consumption has yielded significant results, as evidenced by two key outcomes: first, Fertilizer Pesticide Usage has decreased. Secondly, Fertilizer Pesticide Utilization rates have increased. In 2017, among the three major grains, Fertilizer Pesticide The utilization rate has increased by 2.2 percentage points compared with 2015; these results have been hard-earned, but they represent only a temporary achievement. To consolidate and refine this progress and to sustain it over the long term, we must continue to press ahead—turning zero growth into negative growth will require sustained and arduous efforts.
　　At the meeting, Liao Xiyuan pointed out that the initiative to replace chemical fertilizers with organic fertilizers for fruits, vegetables, and tea should continue to be implemented. Fertilizer 、 Fertilizer Pesticide Implement the Zero-Growth Initiative for Chemical Use, strengthen green pest and disease management in crop production, and launch pilot projects for full‑process green control of fruit, vegetable, and tea crops in 150 key counties. At the same time, enhance the resource‑based utilization of livestock and poultry manure and the comprehensive recycling of crop residues and plastic mulch. Focusing on the Northeast and North China regions, establish 150 pilot counties for the comprehensive utilization of crop residues and develop 20 exemplary demonstration models. Furthermore, advance the construction of 100 demonstration counties for plastic mulch management, institute a mechanism linking the promotion and application of thickened plastic mulch to subsidies for its collection, and conduct pilot programs for extending producer responsibility for plastic mulch.
　　We will focus on addressing white pollution in key regions, advance initiatives to recycle and reuse agricultural plastic film, promote the use of thicker mulch films, and ensure effective implementation of 100 demonstration counties for agricultural film recycling in the Northwest.