The State Council approved upgrading the Henan Zhoukou national agricultural science and technology park into the Henan Zhoukou national agricultural high-tech industry demonstration zone, in a circular issued to the provincial government on April 28.

The demonstration zone covers an area of 118 square kilometers, the boundary coordinates of which will be published by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

It will carry out innovation-oriented development and rural vitalization strategies and focus on developing high-quality and high-efficiency agriculture in Huanghe-Huaihe Plain with wheat production as its leading industry. It will strive to become a demonstration zone for modern agriculture in the Huanghe-Huaihe Plain and the rural revitalization strategy.

The zone should explore and demonstrate technological innovation in the whole wheat industry chain, quality and efficiency improvement of conventional agricultural areas, deep integration of primary, secondary and tertiary industries and new industries in core grain production areas, as well as cultivate new business models so as to create experiences that can be copied and promoted, according to the circular.

The demonstration zone must abide by territorial-space plans and strictly implement mechanisms concerning farmland protection and efficient use of land, as well as land compensation and resettlement policy, the circular said.