By Qudsia Bano

China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) places food security at the centre of its development strategy, offering Pakistan a practical model to modernise its agriculture, strengthen domestic production and build a more resilient food system.

Unveiled during the annual Two Sessions in Beijing, the plan identifies agricultural modernisation and rural development as key pillars of national resilience. Among 109 major projects, a significant number focus on strengthening food systems, improving rural livelihoods and ensuring long-term supply stability for a population of over 1.4 billion.

For Pakistan, where agriculture continues to face challenges such as low productivity, inefficient water use and climate vulnerability, China’s integrated approach highlights the importance of linking food security with technology, infrastructure and rural development. At the core of China’s strategy is the goal of maintaining strong domestic grain production capacity. The country aims to raise grain production capacity to around 725 million tonnes by 2030, supported by a new initiative to add 50 million tonnes of output. The plan emphasises stabilising staple crops such as rice and wheat, while boosting production of corn and soybeans and expanding the supply of essential food items including vegetables, meat and eggs.

China is diversifying its food system beyond traditional crop farming by promoting integrated development across agriculture, forestry, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture. The plan encourages the use of modern greenhouses, intensive livestock systems and alternative protein sources through synthetic biotechnology. A major component focuses on strengthening agricultural capacity through improved land management. The government is advancing a “three-in-one” farmland protection system that safeguards land quantity, quality and ecology. Expansion of high-standard farmland is supported by investments in irrigation, soil restoration and rehabilitation of degraded land, including saline and acidified soils.

This approach is particularly relevant for Pakistan, where improving irrigation efficiency, seed quality and mechanisation remains critical for increasing yields without expanding cultivated land. Risk management is also a priority, with improved disaster response systems and stronger monitoring of crop pests and animal diseases to protect agricultural output from climate and biological risks. China is promoting seed innovation, targeting 85% self-sufficiency in core germplasm, alongside increased mechanisation, with the crop production mechanisation rate expected to exceed 80%.

The plan links food security with broader rural revitalisation by investing in infrastructure such as roads, water systems, sanitation, logistics, energy and digital networks, along with improvements in healthcare and education. It also promotes diversification of rural economies through agro-processing, tourism and e-commerce, while expanding subsidies, insurance schemes and fiscal support to stabilise and increase farmers’ incomes. Structural reforms include extending land contracts by 30 years, promoting moderate-scale farming and integrating smallholder farmers into modern value chains, alongside continued efforts to prevent a return to poverty.
Environmental sustainability remains a core priority, with actions focused on cutting pollution from fertilisers, pesticides and livestock waste while advancing resource-efficient, climate-resilient farming practices.

As global food systems face growing pressure from climate change, population growth and supply chain disruptions, China’s strategy underscores the importance of building resilient, technology-driven and sustainable agricultural systems. Experts say Pakistan can draw key lessons from China’s experience by focusing on long-term planning, institutional coordination and a balanced approach that combines productivity growth with environmental sustainability and rural development. They noted that reducing reliance on imports, strengthening domestic production capacity and improving value chains will be critical for ensuring long-term food security in Pakistan.

Experts say China’s comprehensive approach offers practical guidance for Pakistan, where agriculture remains a key sector but faces structural challenges. Dr Kamran Siddiqui, Director of the Centre for Agricultural Policy Research at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, told Wealth Pakistan that China’s focus on productivity, technology and farmer support highlights the importance of a coordinated policy framework.

He said Pakistan can benefit from adopting integrated strategies that link food security with rural development, infrastructure investment and environmental sustainability instead of treating agriculture as a standalone sector. Dr Muhammad Ashfaq, Professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, said China’s model demonstrates how higher productivity can be achieved through better land management, mechanisation and seed innovation without expanding cultivated land.

He said improving irrigation efficiency, investing in agricultural research and strengthening extension services are practical steps Pakistan can take to modernise its agriculture and build a more resilient food system.

Credit: INP-WealthPk