The Forum 2022 on Science and Technology for Agricultural and Rural Development and the Forum on Modern Agriculture Development in China were held in Beijing on Dec. 16, 2022. The President of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) Wu Kongming delivered remarks.    

Wu Kongming pointed out that China has achieved significant progress in agricultural S&T since the 18th CPC National Congress, attaining a level on par with global leaders in the field. S&T has become the primary driving force behind agricultural and rural economic growth. The 20th CPC National Congress made overall arrangements for rural revitalization on all fronts and moving faster to build up China’s strength in agriculture.  

To implement these arrangements, it is necessary to make new breakthroughs in agricultural S&T. Work must be done in the following areas:

1) be the pacesetter for basic and cutting-edge agricultural innovation, and self-reliance in key technologies; 

2) give full play to the institutional strength in mobilizing resources nationwide, and improve overall capacity for agricultural S&T innovation;  

3) enhance the leading role of companies in S&T innovation, and push for further integration of research with industrial development;  

4) unleash China’s potential in agricultural S&T innovation by reforms in systems and mechanisms; and  

5) enable the self-reliance in agricultural S&T in parallel with agricultural and rural modernization to boost China’s strengths in agriculture and rural revitalization. 

A total of six special reports were released at the forums: Major Achievements in Agricultural Sciences in China 2022; Research Hotspots and Frontiers in Global Agriculture 2022; Analysis of China's Global Competitiveness in Agricultural S&T Papers and Patents 2022; Report on Innovation in China’s Agricultural Enterprises 2022; Major challenges in Agricultural Research in China 2022; and Major New Technologies, Products and Equipment for Agricultural and Rural Development in China 2022.  

A promotional event was held for the Taigu National Science and Technology Innovation Center for Modern Agriculture. In addition, a forum on smart agriculture and innovation was held, during which seven domestic and foreign academicians and experts delivered special reports.