Vice-Premier Liu Yandong called for sci-tech innovation to promote modern agriculture during a meeting in Beijing on the construction of the Yangling National Agricultural High-Tech Demonstration Zone on July 21, 2016.

The vice-premier urged the Yangling demonstration zone in Shaanxi province to strengthen research on the foundation of agriculture and innovation in the seed industry, and to overcome key technologies which constrain development.

Liu called for enhancing the function of the platform for technology promotion, improving the mechanism for the transformation of achievements and motivating the industry’s talent to strive for innovation. She also urged accelerating the cultivation of the “new type” of professional farmer and improving the high-tech zone’s management services.

Intensified support is needed for promoting poverty relief through technology, tapping the potential for enhancing agricultural production and increasing farmers’ incomes, Liu said.

The vice-premier also called for implementing the Belt and Road initiatives, further promoting international cooperation and enhancing China’s influence for sci-tech innovation in the agriculture industry. In addition, she appealed to all related departments to pool their strengths for innovative development of the demonstration zone.