As autumn arrives in early October, the Nanshan mountains of Liyang, Jiangsu, become adorned with chestnut trees heavy with fuzzy “spiky balls,” heralding an abundant harvest that promises to grace tables throughout the region. Local initiatives aimed at promoting forest foods—chestnuts being a standout—have successfully transformed these vast woodlands into what many are calling a “green granary.” Meanwhile, in Lianyungang, reputed as the “Seaweed Capital of China,” processed seaweed is exported worldwide daily. The seaweed industry park located in Zhewang Town produces an impressive six billion sheets each year, generating revenues of around 2 billion yuan and providing approximately 2,000 jobs, thereby showcasing the area as a true maritime “farmland.” With Jiangsu facing a challenge of less than an acre of arable land per person, this region is pioneering a reimagination of traditional food sources. By adopting a more expansive view of food supply, it aims to leverage local resources in creative ways, broadening food options and enhancing both national food security and citizens’ culinary choices.
The statement “Food is the foundation of governance” encapsulates the critical issue of food security, which remains vital for national stability and well-being. Cultivating a diverse food supply system is paramount for ensuring food safety and nurturing a resilient agricultural sector. Recently, a State Council meeting outlined initiatives to promote this broad approach to food, underlining the importance of “strengthening the supply foundations for food and key agricultural products” as well as “expanding direct and indirect food sources while boosting food quality and safety.”
The report from the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China emphasized the significance of this broader perspective, particularly in developing facility agriculture to foster a diversified food supply system. China has enjoyed stable grain output exceeding 1.3 trillion jin for multiple years, with per capita grain availability exceeding 490 kilograms—well above the internationally recognized safety benchmark of 400 kilograms. In 2023, meat production reached a staggering 97.48 million tons, dairy output stood at 42.81 million tons, and poultry egg production hit 35.63 million tons, reflecting rising consumer demand for proteins such as meat, eggs, and dairy products. As consumer preferences shift towards high-quality proteins, the demand for feed grains has also surged, highlighting changing dietary habits and the call for a more diverse food supply.
Adopting a broader food perspective is essential for responding to evolving consumer expectations—from the basic need for sustenance to a heightened focus on healthy eating. This strategy encourages moving past traditional staple crops to include a wider range of foods such as meats, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and fungi. Beyond conventional farmland, China boasts a wealth of resources in forests, grasslands, and aquatic systems, offering opportunities to diversify agricultural production and introduce a variety of food sources. This multi-faceted approach not only aims to satisfy the growing dietary needs of the population but also reinforces the foundation of food security.
Advancing this broader food perspective will help optimize and elevate the agricultural industry’s structure. On one front, there must be an increase in investments aimed at innovating agricultural technologies to enhance production efficiency and quality. This includes promoting superior crop varieties, cutting-edge cultivation methods, and modern agricultural practices to improve land productivity and resource utilization. Simultaneously, it’s important to pursue the development of specialty, ecological, and leisure agriculture in order to integrate the primary, secondary, and tertiary industries. Regions can capitalize on their unique resource advantages to create locally distinctive agricultural products that meet market demands—examples include Gannan navel oranges, Wuchang rice, and Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs—which enrich diets and bolster food supply capabilities.
Implementing this broader food perspective also necessitates efficient resource utilization and sustainable development. Given the increasing pressure on environmental resources, this perspective promotes effective resource management while ensuring food security. By exploring maritime, forest, and grassland resources, we can alleviate the burden on arable land. Promoting environmentally friendly agricultural practices will help reduce pollution stemming from agricultural activities. Encouraging the adoption of green production techniques, minimizing reliance on fertilizers and pesticides, and optimizing the recovery of agricultural waste will facilitate a transition towards a greener, low-carbon agricultural future. Additionally, robust technological support is essential for modernizing agricultural production, achieving breakthroughs in core technologies, and maximizing food supply potential. This transformation should be accompanied by a solid food safety monitoring system to guarantee that food—from farm to table—meets the highest safety standards.
Realizing this broader food perspective hinges on collective engagement and commitment from all sectors of society. Ensuring food security is a complex challenge that demands comprehensive participation and support. Governments have a critical role to play in providing guidance, enhancing policy frameworks, and investing in agricultural technology, infrastructure, and environmental safeguards. There is a pressing need to foster new agricultural business models and activate market forces to better meet diverse consumer needs. Finally, encouraging consumers to adopt healthy eating habits—with an emphasis on food diversity and nutritional balance while promoting a culture of food thriftiness—will significantly contribute to the advancement of ecological agriculture and sustainable development.
