The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) convened a briefing session on issues of major concern in Beijing on May 23, with a focus on beefing up agricultural social services for agricultural development and connecting small household farmers to modern agriculture.

Vice-chairpersons of the CPPCC National Committee Hu Chunhua and Qin Boyong attended the meeting.

Wu Hongyao, a member of the leading Party members group and vice-minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), reported on the progress made in this area, and provided an update on the work done on land transfer and cultural and ethical advancement in rural areas.

He highlighted that in recent years, the MARA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and other relevant departments, has taken effective measures to enhance policy support and ensure the fulfillment of responsibilities. Efforts have been made to vigorously cultivate new types of agricultural business entities, provide good services and promote the development of small household farmers, in a bid to facilitate the organic connection between the households and modern agriculture.

Going forward, the MARAwill accelerate the improvement of the agricultural social service system for farmer households, strengthen policy support, enhance service capabilities, and standardize the development of the industry, in a bid to bring more small household farmers into the development track of modern agriculture.

During the meeting, such issues as breaking down barriers to agricultural data services, refining agricultural social services, and the integration of primary, secondary, and tertiary industries within agricultural social services were discussed.