electra-supply.comOn October 18, a representative from the Beijing Municipal Planning and Natural Resources Commission revealed that the draft of the “Beijing Farmland Protection Plan (2023-2035)” is now available for public review on their website. The public comment period is set for 30 days.
This plan focuses on the concept of “large fields,” which refers to concentrated areas of permanent basic farmland spanning thousands, hundreds, or tens of acres. It aims to enhance the protection of farmland in Beijing, with an ambitious goal of ensuring that by 2035, most permanent basic farmland will be located within these “large fields.”
The framework of this plan seeks to offer a model for high-quality protection and utilization of farmland in China’s mega cities. Building on national mandates regarding the quantity, quality, and ecological integrity of farmland, the plan emphasizes a concentrated approach to land use and sustainable management. It establishes a comprehensive planning and management framework that integrates five key areas: quantity, space, quality, ecology, and utilization.
In terms of quantity, the plan confirms a steadfast commitment to protecting at least 1.66 million acres of farmland, including no less than 1.5 million acres of permanent basic farmland. It will also adhere to national guidelines concerning the balance of farmland usage. Spatially, the focus will be on promoting integrated layouts of farmland. On the quality front, efforts will be made to upgrade permanent basic farmland into high-standard fields. Ecologically, it will enhance the ecological services of farmland based on localized conditions. Utilization efforts will continue to prioritize the diverse values of farmland use.
To achieve the goal of having most permanent basic farmland situated within “large fields” by 2035, the plan utilizes a designated 1.66 million acres of farmland protection space, which includes 1.5 million acres of permanent basic farmland and a reserve of 160,000 acres. It further envisions the development of “large fields” at scales of 100, 1,000, and 10,000 acres to guide future land consolidation efforts.
Additionally, the plan is set to establish a long-term mechanism promoting concentrated and continuous farmland protection by ensuring annual rotational cultivation within these “large fields.” There will be a gradual exchange of fragmented farmland outside these areas to maintain overall farmland numbers and optimize land layout. The expectation is to have at least 95% of the 1.66 million acres of protected farmland within these designated “large fields” by 2035.
To secure space for grain and vegetable production, the plan emphasizes guiding the planting strategies within the 1.66 million acres of farmland. It recommends strengthening the controls on agricultural land use based on the strategic positioning of different regions. The plan advises that plain areas should prioritize grain and vegetable production while encouraging the integration of primary and secondary industries, promoting tech demonstration farms, and creating a vibrant agricultural landscape. In mountainous areas, the focus will be on integrating agriculture with the tertiary sector while promoting eco-friendly, water-saving fields.
The plan also proposes to guide the transfer of agricultural land within the “large fields” in an orderly manner, respecting farmer wishes and leveraging the roles of family farms, cooperatives, and agricultural businesses. By establishing an efficient agricultural service system, it aims to promote the consolidation and professionalization of agriculture while supporting rural revitalization for high-quality farmland protection and utilization.
Finally, the plan calls for the creation of a structured farmland protection planning and implementation system at the municipal, district, and township levels. The city-level planning will provide strategic guidance, while local districts will focus on optimizing “large field” layouts and solidifying data on backup farmland resources. Townships will be tasked with crafting implementation plans for the “large fields,” treating non-construction spaces with the same careful design as constructed areas.
