China has unveiled a new blueprint to accelerate agricultural mechanization, targeting a comprehensive mechanization rate for crop cultivation, harvesting, and primary processing that exceeds 80% by 2030.

Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology jointly issued the "15th Five-Year Plan for the Development of Agricultural Mechanization" (referred to as the "Plan"). This document clarifies the overall requirements, specific objectives, and key tasks for achieving high-quality development in agricultural mechanization during this period.

The Plan emphasizes tackling weaknesses in agricultural mechanization by continuously improving the research, development, manufacturing, and adoption of agricultural equipment. It also aims to strengthen the capabilities of mechanized agricultural production and enhance the sector's resilience against disasters, pests, and other emergencies.

Specific targets outlined for 2030 include raising the comprehensive mechanization rate in hilly and mountainous areas to above 75%, while accelerating mechanization in livestock, aquaculture, and preliminary agricultural product processing. The Plan also envisions the widespread application of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and new energy sources in agricultural equipment, a significant boost in the capacity of socialized mechanized services, and a marked improvement in the sector's ability to withstand natural disasters.

The launch of the Plan introduces five key strategic priorities. First, it focuses on deepening initiatives for the high-quality development of agricultural equipment, enhancing the supply capacity of advanced and applicable products. Second, it aims to remove bottlenecks in the pilot testing and maturation of new technologies, accelerating their promotion and application. Third, the policy encourages expanding the application scenarios for mechanization, fostering new industries and new business models. Fourth, efforts will be directed at improving the quality and standards of mechanized agricultural production and strengthening disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities. Finally, the Plan calls for reinforcing policy support across the entire industrial chain to enhance the overall management level of the agricultural machinery sector.