Farmer
Economy
High-tech farming cannot rescue China’s smallholders
China has grand plans for innovation-driven productivity in the agricultural sector, but how will these initiatives trickle down to the regions and the large proportion of smallholder farmers? Researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May discusses the issue.
Genevieve Donnellon-May
26 Jun 2026
Economy
The US-China soybean comeback that could reshape global markets
How can a single handshake in Busan reshape global soybean flows, US farm politics and China’s food security strategy all at once? Researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May analyses the implications and challenges to the latest US–China deal on soybeans trade.
Genevieve Donnellon-May
17 Dec 2025
Economy
Soybeans, canola and power: How China turned food into a strategic weapon
Can food trade become a tool of geopolitical strategy? For China, the answer is yes. Researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May examines how China’s agricultural imports of agricultural products like canola and soybeans are being reshaped by ongoing tensions with Canada and the US.
Genevieve Donnellon-May
22 Sep 2025
Technology
Coding crops: How AI is sowing change in rural China
Artificial intelligence (AI) farming might sound like a futuristic concept, but it is fast becoming a reality in China. AI usage has spread to rural areas, where young, tech-savvy farmers are using it as a tool to increase agricultural efficiency and productivity. Academic Zhang Tiankan tells us more.
Zhang Tiankan
15 May 2025
Society
Tackling food fraud upstream and downstream
Journalist Chieh-Yi Cheng notes that the traditional ways of food preparation have given way to high-tech production, leading to the improvement of food quality, as well as counterfeiting methods. It now becomes a cat-and-mouse game, with the need to boost efforts in surveillance, tracing funding sources, and tracking the quantity and movement of raw materials and ingredients, in order to nip the problem in the bud.
Chieh-Yi Cheng
27 Mar 2024
Society
[Video] Farmers' markets on China's 'slow trains': Going places
In today's fast-paced world, China's "slow trains" remain essential. They stop at many otherwise inaccessible areas, providing transport for rural residents and a means for them to bring their agricultural products to nearby towns. Designated cabins on the train turn into makeshift farmers' markets, especially in the run-up to Chinese New Year.
Yi Jina
16 Feb 2024
Society
Governing modern Chinese villages is a big challenge
Chinese academic Hu Ying notes that rural governance in China is facing new and diverse sets of challenges. While traditional rural governance looks after people's need for money, food and to protect their livelihoods, current rural issues could include the provision of public services, targeted poverty alleviation, land management and ecological protection. Not only that, traditional value systems are now a thing of the past as villagers gain an increased awareness of individual rights. The authorities would need different skills, and to be supported by new social structures in order to do their job well.
Hu Ying
07 Mar 2022
Society
Jack Ma an agriculture tsar?
Alibaba founder Jack Ma seems set to add "agricultural tycoon" to his list of titles, going by his latest moves to break into the agriculture industry. And he is not the only tech giant in town attempting to use big data and technology to increase agricultural yields. For China, this is a good move that would add to its food security, a priority laid out in its 14th Five-Year Plan. Zaobao's China Desk looks at Chinese agriculture's investment potential.
China Desk, Lianhe Zaobao
03 Nov 2021
Politics
Beijing bans Taiwan fruit imports: Impoverishing Taiwan to achieve reunification?
Following a block of pineapple imports from Taiwan in February, mainland China has followed up with a halt on sugar apples and wax apples. While the blocks were seemingly due to pests found on the fruits, could there be a political reason behind the moves? And could the moves help achieve China's aim?
China Desk, Lianhe Zaobao
23 Sep 2021
Society
Lessons for China: The powerful position of the Japanese farming industry
Japan's farming industry occupies a special position in the country's political, economic and social development. Although farmers are few in number, they wield a strong influence. As a result, a protected farming ecosystem exists in Japan, which has enabled the country to make great strides in organic farming and reducing carbon emissions. The country has also been adept at leveraging its overseas industrial outposts to support its domestic farming sector. What can China learn from Japan's experience?
Qiao Xinsheng
01 Jun 2021