This year and the next will mark a decisive period for completing building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Some more tough tasks must be undertaken relating to agriculture, rural areas and rural residents.

China's development agenda gives priority to addressing these issues. To minimize the negative effects of the novel coronavirus disease, agricultural activities should be flexible and based on a scientific analysis of the current situation as spring is a crucial farming season.

Farmers should follow a multi-level targeted approach to epidemic prevention and control. They should avoid mass gatherings during work. Agricultural technicians can provide online guidance instead of on-site instruction. E-commerce platforms can provide special channels to sell agricultural products. Coordination between epidemic control and agricultural development work will produce win-win results.

China's grain output has exceeded 650 million tons for five consecutive years. But it still has problems such as an unbalanced product supply and demand structure and unreasonable allocation.

As food security is a priority, China will secure supplies of important agricultural products and ensure stability in grain planting areas and output this year. It will also work on breakthroughs in core agricultural technologies and promote independent innovation in livestock breeding, heavy agricultural machinery and smart agriculture.

This year's first policy statement released by the central authorities lists eight measures to strengthen weak areas in agriculture, rural areas and farmers. They include infrastructure and safe drinking water. Rural environmental protection and education should also be improved.

(This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in People's Daily on March 6)