Core Viewpoint - The construction of an agricultural powerhouse is essential for achieving high-quality development and ensuring food security, with Jiangsu province exemplifying strong agricultural capabilities but facing challenges in modernizing its agricultural operating system [1] Group 1: Agricultural Modernization - Agricultural powerhouses are characterized by strong supply security, technological equipment, operational systems, resilience, and competitiveness [1] - Jiangsu province has shown notable performance in stable grain production capacity, technological investment, and green agricultural development [1] - Challenges include the disconnection between smallholder farming and modern agriculture, low levels of organization and scale, and insufficient operational strength [1] Group 2: Operational Framework - The "提统协分" (Enhance, Integrate, Collaborate, and Differentiate) framework aims to improve collective operational capabilities and resource integration [2] - Establishing land share cooperatives led by village collective organizations can consolidate fragmented farmland into resource pools [2] - A flexible structure is proposed to connect various agricultural entities, enhancing efficiency and addressing market service fragmentation [2] Group 3: Technological Empowerment - Technological innovation significantly impacts agricultural operating systems, promoting land transfer and reducing production costs [3] - Digital platforms are being developed to optimize agricultural practices and improve market connectivity [3] - Smart agricultural technologies and green production methods are encouraged to enhance sustainability and reduce environmental impact [3] Group 4: Policy Innovation - Systematic policy innovation is necessary to support the optimization of agricultural operating systems through planning, assessment, and incentives [4] - A dynamic assessment system will monitor agricultural performance based on key indicators, linking results to policy support [5] - Incentive mechanisms are being explored to motivate participation in agricultural production and management, fostering skilled rural talent [5]

Core Viewpoint - The Sichuan Provincial People's Congress is reviewing the "Sichuan Family Farm Promotion Regulations (Draft)" to support the development of family farms, which are defined as agricultural operations primarily run by family members, aiming to address the issue of agricultural labor shortages and promote modern agricultural practices [1][2]. Group 1: Current Status of Family Farms - As of the end of 2024, there are 3.941 million family farms nationwide, with Sichuan having 277,000, ranking second in the country after Shandong [1]. - A significant portion of the agricultural workforce in Sichuan consists of elderly individuals and women, while younger generations are increasingly reluctant to engage in farming, raising concerns about future agricultural labor availability [1][2]. Group 2: Challenges Facing Family Farms - There are over 60,000 village groups in Sichuan that have not established family farms, particularly in 88 poverty-stricken areas, indicating a substantial challenge ahead [2]. - Approximately one-third of family farms in Sichuan report annual operating incomes below 100,000 yuan, with less than 3% holding registered trademarks and fewer than 10% certified for product quality [2]. - There is a significant disparity in the number of family farms across different regions, with the highest number in Shehong City (5,714) and the lowest in Longmatan District of Luzhou City, showing a 37.84-fold difference [2]. Group 3: Support Measures in the Draft Regulations - The draft regulations propose that local governments incorporate family farm development into agricultural planning and support various groups, including returning migrant workers and veterans, in establishing family farms [3]. - The regulations emphasize the need for local governments to include eligible family farm operators in talent support programs and enhance training for young family farm operators [3]. - Family farms are encouraged to acquire land use rights through various means, including leasing and shareholding, with terms to be negotiated between parties [3].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that the pilot program for extending the second round of land contracts by 30 years has been expanded to seven provinces, indicating a significant policy shift in agricultural land management [1] - The rural collective "three assets" regulatory long-term mechanism is continuously improving, which suggests a focus on enhancing governance in rural areas [1] - The development of new agricultural management entities and social service entities is being promoted, with nearly 4 million family farms and over 2.1 million farmer cooperatives established nationwide [1] Group 2 - A total of 1.094 million operational entities are engaged in providing social services, reflecting a growing trend in agricultural service provision [1] - Overall, the agricultural and rural economy has shown a positive development momentum in the first half of the year, providing solid support for the stable operation of the national economy [1]

Core Insights - The rapid growth of new agricultural operating entities is a key driver of agricultural modernization in China, with significant increases in the number of family farms and cooperatives over the past decade [1][3][5] Group 1: Growth of New Agricultural Entities - As of October 2024, the number of registered family farms in China has surpassed 4 million, and there are 2.14 million registered cooperatives, marking increases of 4.5 times and 2.37 times respectively over the past ten years [1] - The transformation from small-scale farming to large-scale, intensive operations reflects improvements in agricultural productivity and the integration of rural industries [1][3] Group 2: Agricultural Efficiency and Productivity - The average yield of grain-producing family farms is 469.2 kg per mu, which is 20% higher than the national average, attributed to the advantages of scale and technology integration [3] - Family farms manage an average of 150.6 mu of land, utilizing mechanization and standardized management to enhance productivity [3] - Cooperatives are effectively connecting small farmers to larger markets, with an average land operating area of 460.1 mu per cooperative and a per capita surplus return of 1,471.4 yuan for members [3] Group 3: New Agricultural Business Models - New agricultural entities are becoming incubators for innovative agricultural business models, with a focus on standardized services through county-village management networks [3] - In Zhejiang province alone, 237 county-level service centers have been established, covering over 80% of administrative villages [3] - Approximately 12,100 cooperatives are diversifying into product processing, distribution, and e-commerce, with 6,500 involved in leisure agriculture and 1,900 in rural tourism, creating a seasonal economic chain [3] Group 4: Policy Support and Market Mechanisms - Continuous financial support from the central government has exceeded 20 billion yuan over five years for the development of family farms and cooperatives [5] - A four-tier guidance system comprising 32,258 counselors provides comprehensive services from technical training to brand planning [5] - More than half of family farms report annual operating incomes between 100,000 and 500,000 yuan, and 13% of cooperatives have established a "three-gold" system, with over 103,000 cooperatives holding registered trademarks [5]

Core Viewpoint - The core viewpoint emphasizes that a strong agricultural operating system is a common characteristic of agricultural powerhouses, but there is no single model for achieving this. Innovation in operating systems is essential for expanding agricultural development space [1][3]. Summary by Sections Agricultural Structure - China's agricultural reality consists of approximately 200 million contracted farming households, 4 million family farms, 2.136 million farmer cooperatives, over 1.09 million agricultural social service entities, and more than 90,000 agricultural industrialization leading enterprises at the county level and above. This indicates a coexistence of small-scale farmers and new agricultural operating entities [2]. Modernization and Scale - Agricultural modernization requires scale but must align with the actual conditions of smallholder farmers. The average farming scale should not be arbitrarily increased without considering the implications for the remaining farmers. A historical perspective is necessary to address the challenges of transitioning from smallholder farming to larger-scale operations [2][3]. Diversity in Operating Methods - The diversity of operating methods in China's agriculture is attributed to the rich variety of agricultural resources and the strengths and weaknesses of different agricultural entities. While smallholders are the basic operating units, they face challenges such as high costs and low competitiveness. New agricultural entities can enhance product supply and competitiveness but require better organization and regulation [3]. Pathways for Improvement - To improve the agricultural operating system, two main pathways are suggested: cultivating scale operating entities through land transfer and developing socialized services to nurture scale service entities. The development of agricultural social services is crucial for equipping smallholders with advanced technologies and addressing existing challenges in service quality and scope [4].