The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Representative to China, Carlos Watson, has commended China’s strong political commitments to addressing climate change and ensuring food security. In a recent interview, Watson highlighted China’s efforts in maintaining agricultural productivity while implementing measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Watson noted that China’s grain output has remained above 1.3 trillion kilograms for eight consecutive years, a testament to the country’s comprehensive measures to prioritize agricultural and food security. He acknowledged that climate change poses significant challenges to China’s long-term agricultural development, similar to many other countries.
\”Addressing the climate change impacts, China has made strong political commitments in the national development planning for the 14th Five-Year period,\” Watson said. \”China’s ’30-60′ targets, to hit peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, set the goalposts for China’s long-term climate ambition.\”
He emphasized that these administrative measures are complemented by significant public investment in low-carbon technologies. In the agricultural sector, China is actively promoting better farm management practices, efficient ecosystem and landscape management, and strengthened services for farmers to manage climate risks.
Watson elaborated on four key areas where China is focusing its efforts:
- Improved Farm Management: Enhancing the management of farms, crops, and fisheries to balance immediate food security needs with long-term adaptation and mitigation priorities.
- Ecosystem Conservation: Implementing efficient ecosystem and landscape management to conserve vital ecosystem services crucial for food security and agricultural development.
- Risk Management Services: Strengthening services for farmers and land managers to better manage climate risks and mitigation actions.
- Food System Transformation: Encouraging changes in the wider food systems, including demand-side measures and value chain interventions that support sustainable agricultural development.
Watson also highlighted FAO’s collaboration with China in promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA). This approach aims to sustainably increase productivity and incomes, adapt to climate change, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions where possible.
\”In the context of China, climate-smart agricultural development has been reflected in our own FAO Country Programming Framework with China (2021-2025). Together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, local governments, academia, private sector, and farming communities, we are implementing field projects and programs,\” he said.
He provided examples of ongoing projects, such as developing low-carbon precision dairy farming approaches in Yunnan Province to reduce carbon emissions and improve farm productivity. Another project involves mainstreaming on-farm conservation and sustainable use of traditional genetic diversity in key indigenous crops like millet, oats, rice, and soybean to support climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Watson’s insights shed light on China’s proactive stance in tackling the dual challenges of climate change and food security. Through strategic planning, technological innovation, and international collaboration, China aims to ensure sustainable agricultural development while contributing to global efforts against climate change.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
