Zhinews of Shenzhen Satellite TV:  

The national science and technology conference held last month made new deployments for achieving greater self-reliance in science and technology at a faster pace. Just now, Mr. Han also mentioned sci-tech innovation in agriculture. Could you share the measures the MARA has taken to accelerate agricultural sci-tech innovation and future plans? Thank you.

Zhang Xingwang:

Thank you for your interest in agricultural science and technology-related work. Just now, Mr. Han mentioned the major planning and arrangements in this regard. In fact, through years of work, we have deeply recognized the indispensable role of science and technology in ensuring stable grain production and high-quality agricultural development. The strength of science and technology keeps growing, and the potential for agricultural development largely lies in them. On the new journey of the new era, we must ensure the stable and secure supply of food and other important agricultural products for over 1.4 billion Chinese people. Given the limited arable land, the fundamental solution for stable and increased production lies in science and technology. As Mr. Han just said, our scientific and technical personnel are actively providing services and guidance on the front lines of agricultural production as well as disaster prevention and mitigation. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, significant progress has been made in agricultural sci-tech development. In 2023, advances in agricultural science and technology contributed 63.2% to agricultural development, an increase of about 10 percentage points compared to 2012. This is a remarkable achievement and a crucial reason for the stable development of our grain and agriculture in recent years. However, gaps still exist between our overall sci-tech level and advanced international levels. Globally, a new round of agricultural sci-tech revolution characterized by biotechnology and information technology is brewing major breakthroughs, and countries are vying for staying ahead of the curve. We must not fall behind. Currently, we are thoroughly studying and implementing the guiding principles of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the national science and technology conference. We will work to achieve greater self-reliance and strength in agricultural sci-tech development in according to the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.

First, we emphasize enhancing overall efficiency by improving the system. Currently, there is a certain degree of fragmentation, low-level repetition and homogeneous competition among agricultural research institutions. At the beginning of this year, our ministry established the Leading Group for Scientific and Technological Innovation and the Science and Technology Innovation Strategic Advisory Committee to concentrate on optimizing the agricultural science and technology innovation system. We aim to effectively leverage the role of national laboratories and further clarify how central, provincial and municipal-level agricultural research institutes fit within the overall framework. We will define the roles of research institutions, agricultural universities and agricultural technology enterprises. We are using policy guidance, innovative mechanisms and performance evaluation to mobilize and leverage the strengths of innovation entities of all types and at all levels. This approach will help these entities complement each other's advantages and move in a unified direction. We will utilize the new nationwide system to enhance overall efficiency and solve major scientific and technological issues constraining agricultural development.

Second, we emphasize innovation with a focus on industrial application. We insist that research topics originate from industry needs and that research results should be applied in production practices. We collect demands from industries, conduct research and demonstrations based on real-world scenarios, and have users evaluate and accept the outcomes. To determine the effectiveness of research results, we must assess their performance within the relevant industry. This approach addresses the disconnection between science and technology and the economy. In the first half of this year, 17 central ministries and commissions, including the MARA, jointly identified 401 technological needs. We have compiled the 2024 project application guide for the National Key R&D Program, which will be announced soon. These methods aim to further enhance the precision and effectiveness of research. We target critical industry needs, such as developing high-oil and high-yield soybean varieties and intelligent high-end agricultural machinery. We're concentrating efforts from various sectors to tackle these challenges. In this process, we must leverage the strengths of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the education system, and the agriculture and rural affairs system. We should gather the country's true strengths in this field to address key challenges and fully utilize the pivotal role of leading agricultural technology enterprises in research and innovation.

Third, we emphasize ensuring scientific research effectively transitions into practical applications. We strive to connect the entire chain of scientific research, experimental development, and application promotion. By reforming and enhancing the agricultural technology extension system, we aim to leverage the leading role of the National Agricultural High-Tech Industry Demonstration Zones. We will improve service models such as technology commissioners, technology courtyards, and expert compounds, and support new types of agricultural business entities and technology service enterprises in providing technological services. This will accelerate the transformation of scientific and technological achievements into practical productive forces.

Additionally, we emphasize motivating and invigorating talent. We will improve talent incentive and evaluation mechanisms, select a number of agricultural research institutions and explore pilot reforms in evaluating scientific research personnel. We will vigorously promote the spirit of scientists in the agricultural sector and stimulate the innovative vitality of agricultural researchers. We will focus on leveraging major agricultural science and technology projects and important innovation platforms, such as the Seed Industry Revitalization Action Plan and key technological breakthroughs in agriculture, to cultivate and attract strategic scientists, leading scientific and technological talents, and innovation teams. In particular, we will emphasize cultivating young scientific and technological talent to continuously expand the agricultural science and technology talent pool.

Thank you.