China has unveiled a new action plan aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of modern agricultural business entities, encouraging smallholder farmers to develop green and efficient family farms while boosting rural incomes.

The plan, released this week by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, calls for stronger support for family farms and closer integration between smallholder farmers and modern agriculture.

Local authorities are encouraged to guide willing farmers toward developing moderately scaled, intensive, green and efficient family farms, the plan said.

China has been promoting new agricultural operators such as family farms, cooperatives and agricultural service providers to improve productivity and advance modern agriculture, according to central documents related to agriculture and rural affairs.

Local governments will adopt differentiated support measures for family farms at different stages of development, while encouraging farms to determine appropriate operating scales based on land conditions, industrial characteristics and local agricultural services, the plan said.

The ministry also pledged to improve management of a national registry for family farms and encourage qualified operators to formally register as business entities.

A digital service system will be promoted to allow farms to display information about their operations and products to consumers while connecting them with supply-chain companies and financial institutions.

Authorities also plan to broaden the platform's functions by integrating logistics, weather alerts and product traceability services, according to the plan.

To improve agricultural productivity, the ministry said it would expand socialized agricultural services, particularly in grain and major agricultural product production, with a focus on supporting smallholder farmers and addressing weak links in agricultural production.

China also plans to strengthen digital management systems for agricultural operators and improve monitoring of grain — and oil-producing family farms and cooperatives that receive government financial support.

The plan highlighted the importance of technology and innovation, encouraging agricultural operators to work with universities, research institutes and enterprises to promote new crop varieties, technologies, equipment and production models.

It also supports the development of leisure agriculture, rural tourism and e-commerce. Agricultural operators are expected to establish regional and independent brands and improve cold-chain logistics, storage and processing capacity.

The ministry said it would support broader financing channels for agricultural operators, including the use of agricultural facilities and livestock as collateral for loans and leveraging the national agricultural credit guarantee system.

To strengthen income growth among small-scale farmers, authorities will encourage family farms and cooperatives to establish closer benefit-sharing mechanisms with rural households through land-use rights, employment opportunities and dividend distribution.

Local governments are expected to link policy support with the effectiveness of agricultural operators in increasing farmers' incomes, including the number of households assisted and the income growth achieved, according to the plan.

zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn