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AgriGoods Herald:

There is a very important problem addressed by Mr. Tang concerning green mode of production, including, a pilot program of replacing chemical fertilizers with organic ones. Which provinces or regions are expected to pilot the program? And what crops will they start with? In view of the wide range of organic fertilizers, what kind will be chosen to replace the chemical ones?

Tang Renjian:

The pilot program has been addressed for the first time in the latest "No.1 Central Document." The Ministry of Agriculture, as the relevant lead authority of the program, is deliberating on the details of the issue, including, where and with what species the experiment should be launched. Apparently, we'll start from fresh foods, such as the vast area of lands growing fruits and vegetables, and then move on to bulky commodities and field crops.

CRI:

We know China has been pushing forward pilot reforms of the rural land systems. This is an issue of much attention for people of various sectors. Does the "No. 1 central document" include new arrangements in this regard? Thank you.

Tang Renjian:

The central government has always been prudent in pursuing stability in carrying out reforms. One principle being championed is ensuring stability first and then striving for perfection. The land system is the lifeblood of farmers and provides them with the basic guarantee they need. This has never changed. At the rural work symposium at Xiaogang Village in Anhui on April 25, 2016, President Xi Jinping put forward an important point that we should not act rashly when it comes to dealing with the land of the farmers as it is a major historical issue that we must deal with patiently. I highly agree with him. Some people disapprove of the reform as lacking in major momentum and innovation, but I think we shouldn't give too much stress to momentum and seek innovation just for the sake of momentum and innovation unless we are sure that what we are promoting is right from a long-term and historical point of view.

Based on this consideration, we have always exercised prudence in carrying out reforms. However, since the land system, like any other system, has to change with the times, the "No.1 central document" this year has content designed to push forward reforms, including the following points.

Firstly, about the pilot reforms relating to rural land requisition, the marketization of rural collective land designated for business-related construction, and the system of land used for rural housing: since last year, the government has carried out pilot reforms in 33 counties. These will be continued and subject to an evaluation at the end of this year. Based on the evaluation and summarization that emerges, we will carry out amendments of the law. The "No. 1 central document" of 2017 requires the pilot programs to be carried out with an overall plan and in a coordinated manner.

Secondly, regarding how to ensure that farmers moving to work in urban areas may enjoy the rights of land contract and management, use of homestead and distribution of collective income, the "No. 1 central document" encourages the authorities to raise funds through multiple channels to compensate farmers who have registered as urban residents for voluntarily returning their contracted lands and homesteads.

Thirdly, in order to endow farmers with more homestead usufruct, we will make better use of idle housing and homesteads in an appropriate way. The "No. 1 central document" contains some new policies concerning the use of homesteads. It says that we should seriously summarize the experiences of pilot reforms of the system of land used for rural housing, and, based on the prerequisite of fully ensuring rural households' usufruct rights, and avoiding encroachment and control from external capital, we should ensure the collective ownership of homesteads, protect farmers' legal possession and use of their homesteads, explore ways to make better use of idle rural housing and homesteads including rural collective organizations leasing those lands or seeking cooperation, and increase farmers’ property income. The document stipulates some requirements for steadily and prudently pushing forward rural homestead reform. Thank you.

Hu Kaihong:

That's all for today's press conference. Thank you, Mr. Tang and Mr. Han. Thanks everyone.

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