Research on China's agricultural protection issues

Author: Pan Shengzhou
Editor-in-Chief: Yao Hong
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1999-11-01
Features: Excerpt:
I. The Significance and Purpose of the Topic
The selection of this research topic is primarily based on the following considerations:
1. Agriculture holds a special importance in China's economic and social development. This importance is not only reflected in the abstract description of facts such as "agriculture is the source of food and livelihood for human society," "the development of agriculture is the prerequisite and foundation for the independence and further development of other sectors of the national economy," and "agriculture is the foundation for the existence and development of all non-productive sectors." It is also proven by economists through rigorous theoretical reasoning based on extensive empirical analysis. A classic summary is that agriculture contributes to the growth and development of the national economy in four main ways: product contribution, market contribution, factor and foreign exchange contribution (Kuznets, 1961). In China, special national conditions endow agriculture with special importance. This is because more than 900 million people out of the country's 1.2 billion live in rural areas, relying directly on agriculture and related industries for income. 40% of industrial raw materials (70% of light industry raw materials and 90% of textile industry raw materials) come from agriculture, and 43.2% of total social commodity sales are directed to rural areas, making agriculture the foundation for economic development, social stability, and national self-reliance. Therefore, agricultural protection research aimed at ensuring the sustainable and stable development of agriculture, whether theoretically or practically, holds significant importance.
2. The current development status of China's agriculture urgently calls for research on agricultural protection. After nearly two decades of reform and opening-up, China's agricultural development has achieved remarkable accomplishments. A significant sign is the substantial increase in the output of major agricultural products, solving the food needs of 22% of the world's population with only 7% of the world's arable land. However, it must be clearly recognized that agriculture remains a weak link in the national economy, and the lagging development of agriculture has become increasingly prominent. From 1991 to 1994, the average annual growth rate of industry nationwide was 24%, while agriculture only grew by 6.6%. The growth rate of industry was nearly four times that of agriculture, clearly exceeding the normal ratio of industrial and agricultural development at this stage. Especially in the process of developing a socialist market economy, due to the role of the value law, agriculture has continuously provided massive funds, raw materials, labor, and other economic resources for industrial construction, yet it is still channeling various economic resources to non-agricultural industries. In many areas, there has been a "transfer from agriculture to non-agriculture" of funds, land, materials, technical talents, high-quality labor, and even leadership focus, leading to deteriorating production conditions and environments for agriculture and a clear lack of momentum for further development. This, apart from the market operations governed by the value law, is undoubtedly exacerbated by the actions of some local governments. Additionally, with the continuous expansion of opening-up and the impending entry into the World Trade Organization, China's agricultural development is not only constrained by the unresolved economic system but also troubled by a series of adverse factors such as small operating scales, low management levels, and poor production conditions. It also faces the impact of agriculture from developed countries in the world. Therefore, under the conditions of developing a socialist market economy, it is urgent to provide theoretical answers and policy measures on whether and how to protect agriculture.
3. As China is a large developing agricultural country, research on agricultural protection holds certain international significance. First, if in-depth research on this issue leads to the formulation and implementation of effective policy measures, ensuring the sustainable and coordinated rapid development of China's agriculture and the entire national economy, allowing the current 1.2 billion people and even 1.3 billion by the end of the century not only to have enough to eat but also to eat well, not only to live a moderately prosperous life but also to continue moving toward prosperity, this itself would be a great contribution to the world. Second, there are many developing countries in the world similar to China. In recent years, their close attention has been drawn to the great achievements China has made through reform and opening-up. If China can successfully create a mature and exemplary agricultural protection model or a path to ensure the sustainable and coordinated rapid development of agriculture and the entire national economy, it would hold significant reference value for developing countries facing similar challenges.
4. Agricultural protection is a global issue, and most countries in the world encounter it when their economy reaches a certain stage. Theoretical exploration of this issue will enrich the content of development economics and hold significant academic value.
Postscript:
p; Agricultural protection is a major issue that involves the overall picture and has strong theoretical and policy implications. Due to the nature of my work, I developed a strong interest in researching this issue several years ago and have written several articles on it. However, systematic research on this issue truly began under the encouragement and guidance of my supervisor, Researcher Zhu Xigang. Because this book was written during my spare time, I could only write for half an hour or even a few minutes at a time, so progress was slow, but I persisted and, after more than a year of effort, finally completed the first draft of this book in April 1998. Researcher Zhu devoted a great deal of effort to this study, providing timely guidance and assistance from the determination of the topic to the design of the framework, from the collection of data to specific calculations, analysis, and even writing. His profound knowledge benefited me greatly; his positive work spirit and rigorous academic attitude deeply inspired me; and his upright and generous character has already and will continue to influence me. Comrade Duan Yingbi, Deputy Director of the Central Financial and Economic Leading Group, took the time to write a preface for this book, which greatly encouraged and motivated me. During the research and paper-writing process, my colleagues at my workplace, such as Xiao Wanjun and Zhang Congming, provided enthusiastic encouragement and support, creating a good working environment that allowed me to write with pleasure from start to finish. Researchers Ni Ruofeng, Feng Haifa, Cheng Guoqiang, Zhao Zhijun, Li Weimin, and Sun Dongsheng from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qiu Guorong from the Shenzhen Highway Bureau, Cao Liqun from the Rural Economy Research Center of the Ministry of Agriculture, Chen Fan from the Office of the State Council's Poverty Alleviation and Development Leading Group, Han Jun from the Rural Development Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Zhang Zhongfa from the Development Research Center of the State Council, Ma Xiahe from the Economic Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission, and others, provided strong support and assistance in various ways. The Chinese Agricultural Press facilitated the publication of this book, especially Shen Zhenzhao, Qin Guangwu, Ke Wenwu, and Yao Hong, who devoted hard work to its completion. On the occasion of this book's publication, I extend my sincere gratitude to the aforementioned teachers, leaders, and friends. This book references a large number of recent research findings, and I especially thank the authors of the cited articles and works.
Finally, I want to thank my wife, Wang Qiaoling. During the period of this research and writing, she almost took on all household chores. Without her understanding and support, it would have been very difficult for me to complete this book. Due to my limited abilities and lack of experience, coupled with the urgency of the time, there may be shortcomings and errors in this book. I welcome readers' criticism and corrections.
Pan Shengzhou
May 1999, Beijing