The transformation of agriculture in China: Looking back and looking forward

China's grain yield increased from 1 t ha−1 in 1961 to 6 t ha−1 in 2015, while successfully feeding not only its large population but also supplying agricultural products all over the world. These achievements were greatly supported by modern technology and distinct governmental policy. However...

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Main Authors: Xiao-qiang JIAO, Nyamdavaa Mongol, Fu-suo ZHANG
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2018-04-01
Series:Journal of Integrative Agriculture
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S209531191761774X
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author Xiao-qiang JIAO
Nyamdavaa Mongol
Fu-suo ZHANG
author_facet Xiao-qiang JIAO
Nyamdavaa Mongol
Fu-suo ZHANG
author_sort Xiao-qiang JIAO
collection DOAJ
description China's grain yield increased from 1 t ha−1 in 1961 to 6 t ha−1 in 2015, while successfully feeding not only its large population but also supplying agricultural products all over the world. These achievements were greatly supported by modern technology and distinct governmental policy. However, China's grain production has been causing a number of problems mainly related to declining natural resources and a lack of environmental protection. Due to the growing population and changing dietary requirements, increasing food production must be achieved by increasing resource use efficiency while minimizing environmental costs. We propose two novel development pathways that can potentially sustain agricultural crop production in the next few decades: (i) enhancing nutrient use efficiency with zero increase in chemical fertilizer input until 2020 and (ii) concurrently increasing grain yield and nutrient use efficiency for sustainable intensification with integrated nutrient management after 2020. This paper provides a perspective on further agricultural developments and challenges, and useful knowledge of our valuable experiences for other developing countries.
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institution Kabale University
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publisher KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
record_format Article
series Journal of Integrative Agriculture
spelling doaj-art-da7a577d65a64a248b4561cf0def6f592025-08-20T03:58:50ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Journal of Integrative Agriculture2095-31192018-04-0117475576410.1016/S2095-3119(17)61774-XThe transformation of agriculture in China: Looking back and looking forwardXiao-qiang JIAO0Nyamdavaa Mongol1Fu-suo ZHANG2Center for Resources, Environment and Food Security, Department of Plant Nutrition/Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. ChinaLancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UKCenter for Resources, Environment and Food Security, Department of Plant Nutrition/Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China; Correspondence ZHANG Fu-suo, Tel: +86-10-62733499, Fax: +86-10-62731016China's grain yield increased from 1 t ha−1 in 1961 to 6 t ha−1 in 2015, while successfully feeding not only its large population but also supplying agricultural products all over the world. These achievements were greatly supported by modern technology and distinct governmental policy. However, China's grain production has been causing a number of problems mainly related to declining natural resources and a lack of environmental protection. Due to the growing population and changing dietary requirements, increasing food production must be achieved by increasing resource use efficiency while minimizing environmental costs. We propose two novel development pathways that can potentially sustain agricultural crop production in the next few decades: (i) enhancing nutrient use efficiency with zero increase in chemical fertilizer input until 2020 and (ii) concurrently increasing grain yield and nutrient use efficiency for sustainable intensification with integrated nutrient management after 2020. This paper provides a perspective on further agricultural developments and challenges, and useful knowledge of our valuable experiences for other developing countries.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S209531191761774Xfood securitysustainable developmentagriculturegrain production
spellingShingle Xiao-qiang JIAO
Nyamdavaa Mongol
Fu-suo ZHANG
The transformation of agriculture in China: Looking back and looking forward
Journal of Integrative Agriculture
food security
sustainable development
agriculture
grain production
title The transformation of agriculture in China: Looking back and looking forward
title_full The transformation of agriculture in China: Looking back and looking forward
title_fullStr The transformation of agriculture in China: Looking back and looking forward
title_full_unstemmed The transformation of agriculture in China: Looking back and looking forward
title_short The transformation of agriculture in China: Looking back and looking forward
title_sort transformation of agriculture in china looking back and looking forward
topic food security
sustainable development
agriculture
grain production
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S209531191761774X
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AT nyamdavaamongol transformationofagricultureinchinalookingbackandlookingforward
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