Assessment and Strategy on Agricultural Modernization in Fujian

  Objective  Means to evaluate the progress and strategies to overcome obstacles in modernizing Fujian agriculture were studied.

  Method  The methods of comprehensive indexing, analytical hierarchy process (AHP), and target value were applied to establish an assessment system that could quantify the progress of the agricultural modernization taking place in China. Six first tier and 24 second tier indicators from the perspectives of industry, production, and management with the aims of being efficient, green, and supportive were employed in the evaluation system. Accordingly, the achievement levels realized by the province and the nation during the period of the 13^th Five-Year Plan were analyzed.

  Result  The average scores on the modernization in the 5-year period were 66.07 for Fujian and 61.21 for the nation. The levels were in the medium transformation stage for the province and in the primary stage for the country. The province had a lower average annual growth rate of 2.18% than 2.64% of the nation. The sub-index on industry for the province was 78.38%, which was 26.07% higher than that for the nation; and that on realization of quality and benefit, 71.16%, which was 52.90% higher than that for the nation. The indices on production, management, green practices, and supportive roles for Fujian were 70.22%, 46.53%, 67.92%, and 41.02%, respectively, which were 0.73%, 11.33%, 8.77%, and 38.43%, respectively, below the national levels. High production efficiency, functional organization, advanced processing facilities, and intensive resource utilization helped the modernization in Fujian. On the other hand, the province faced shortcomings on the relative insufficiencies in large-scale land management, managerial body, product safety, and financial support.

  Suggestion  To promote the balanced development of modern agriculture in Fujian in the future, following measures were recommended: (1) developing high-standard farmlands and well-managed cultivated lands, (2) promoting cultivation of specialty cash crops, (3) nurturing establishments of new business and social service organizations, (4) enhancing research and applications of green preventive and control technologies, (5) enforcing product safety, (6) increasing financial support with an efficient operating system, and (7) expanding insurance coverages and supplement to agriculture related operations.