The Evolution of China’s Pesticide Industry During a Period of Transformation

[Lead – China Agrochemical & Fertilizer Network] China’s agricultural sector is currently at a critical juncture of transformation and upgrading. In the new normal, one pressing issue is that, following the migration of large numbers of rural young and middle-aged workers to urban areas, the question of who will farm in rural areas going forward has become an urgent challenge. Therefore, we must pursue the path of agricultural modernization by promoting large-scale operations and providing specialized services.

 

　　In the future, safe, efficient, cost‑effective, and user‑friendly pesticide products will dominate the market, and environmental sustainability will be a key imperative for the industry’s development. As living standards rise and environmental awareness grows, highly toxic organophosphate insecticides will gradually phase out, while green pesticides will become the preferred choice of farmers, and sustainable, eco‑friendly practices will emerge as a new guiding principle and prevailing trend in business operations.

 

　　At present, public attention is focused on two key aspects of agricultural development: first, how to enhance operational efficiency; and second, ensuring the quality and safety of agricultural products. Implementing large-scale operations and specialized services has emerged as an effective approach. As China’s agrochemical industry enters a critical phase of transformation and growth, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing agro-input enterprises under the current evolving landscape, Liu Jian, former Vice Minister of Agriculture, Counselor to the State Council, and President of the China Agrochemical Development and Application Association, recently visited Guangxi Tianyuan Biochemical Co., Ltd. Accompanied by Li Tieshen, Vice President and Secretary-General of the China Agrochemical Development and Application Association, and Zeng Feng, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the China Cooperative Times and Editor-in-Chief of China Agro‑Input Media, Mr. Liu conducted an in-depth field study on topics including product R&D, technological innovation, and service upgrades.

 

　　China’s agricultural sector is currently at a critical juncture of transformation and development. In the new normal, one pressing issue is that, with large numbers of rural young and middle‑aged workers migrating to cities, the question of who will farm in rural areas going forward has become an urgent practical challenge. Accordingly, we must pursue agricultural modernization by scaling up operations and providing specialized services. At present, the Ministry of Agriculture has set a goal to achieve zero growth in the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides by 2020; how this can be accomplished—and how to effectively mobilize the enthusiasm of both enterprises and farmers—will likewise constitute a key area for future research.