China has unveiled its “No. 1 central document” for 2026, issued by top party and state leadership as an annual rural policy guide setting out the country’s top policy priorities for agriculture, rural areas and farmers, with a strong emphasis on food security, income growth and rural modernisation.
The document was jointly issued by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, continuing a long-standing tradition under which the first central policy document of each year focuses on rural development. Implementation and coordination will be led primarily by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, alongside other economic and planning authorities.
Food security as a strategic priority
Food security remains the cornerstone of the 2026 document. The policy calls for safeguarding grain production capacity, protecting arable land, and improving agricultural resilience in the face of climate change and external uncertainties. Measures include strengthening high-standard farmland construction, promoting agricultural science and technology, and stabilising output of key crops such as rice, wheat, and corn. The document reiterates that ensuring a secure domestic food supply is a matter of national strategy.
Boosting farmers’ incomes
Raising farmers’ incomes is identified as a central objective. The document outlines steps to expand channels for rural income growth, including developing value-added agricultural processing, supporting rural e-commerce, and encouraging diversified rural industries such as agritourism and specialty farming. It also stresses improving wage income for rural residents through better access to employment and vocational training.
Policy support mechanisms, including targeted subsidies and financial services for farmers and small rural businesses, are highlighted as tools to narrow the urban–rural income gap and strengthen the rural middle-income group.
Advancing rural modernisation
Rural modernisation forms the third pillar of the document. The policy promotes upgrading rural infrastructure, improving public services such as education, healthcare and elderly care, and accelerating digital and smart agriculture. Environmental protection and sustainable land use are also emphasised, aligning rural development with China’s broader green transition goals.
Broader policy significance
The 2026 No. 1 central document reflects continuity in China’s rural revitalisation strategy, while adapting priorities to current economic conditions and global risks. Analysts note that the focus on food security and incomes signals caution amid geopolitical uncertainty, while modernisation initiatives aim to make rural areas more productive and liveable.
Overall, the document provides a comprehensive policy framework guiding China’s agricultural and rural agenda for the year ahead, reinforcing the leadership’s view that stable agriculture and prosperous rural communities are foundational to long-term economic and social stability.