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China faces probe over alleged “paper farming” rice targets
State media alleged officials in Hunan misreported 2024 rice paddies at 390,000 mu, while a cited figure suggests 238,000 mu in reality.
China’s agriculture sector is drawing renewed scrutiny after a state media investigation alleged that local officials in central China inflated mandatory rice crop targets to meet performance goals, a development tied to food security.
According to SCMP Economy, the CCTV Focus Report aired on July 14 claimed officials in Jianghua Yao county in Yongzhou, Hunan province reported that they met the 2024 rice target by registering 390,000 mu, or 26,000 hectares, of rice paddies.
The report said the actual size of the paddy fields that year was far smaller at 238,000 mu, or 15,866 hectares, and characterized the conduct as “paper farming,” where some crops existed only on paper.
Following the investigation, a rural policy expert said China’s agriculture needs more advanced technology and innovation to raise yields and improve food security, rather than expanding farmland and crops.