Stay Ahead, Stay Global 
The 2025 International Day of Forests arrives with the inspiring theme of "Forests and Foods," a call for building a sustainable, resilient food system amid global climate challenges and food insecurity. This theme reminds us that forests are not just scenic landscapes but vital reservoirs, treasuries, granaries, and carbon sinks that shape sustainable agriculture and rural revitalization.
Historically, forests have been nature’s green granaries. From chestnuts in ancient diets to today’s bounty of wild fruits, walnuts, oilseeds, mushrooms, honey, and bamboo shoots, forests deliver nutritional resources that support food security. In the Chinese mainland, annual forest food production has reached a staggering 200 million tonnes, making it the nation’s third-largest agricultural product after grains and vegetables. This impressive statistic underscores forests’ dual role in providing direct sustenance and complementing traditional farming.
Beyond food provision, forests act as guardians of farmland. Ecological systems like the farmland shelterbelt help mitigate wind damage, improve soil fertility, and foster a balanced agricultural landscape. The ecosystem around the Hani Terraces in Yunnan Province and the widespread impact of the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program have not only boosted crop yields by 15 to 20 percent but also contributed to preserving age-old agricultural traditions.
Economic growth is another powerful benefit. In 2024, the forestry industry in the Chinese mainland achieved an output value exceeding 10 trillion yuan, with economic forests and the understory economy generating trillions of yuan that support millions of forest farmers. Innovative ventures, such as star anise-scented chicken raised beneath star anise trees in Guangxi and thriving bamboo weaving and walnut processing industries across provinces, highlight how forest-based products are capturing market interest for their natural and eco-friendly qualities.
As climate change intensifies, the ecological functions of forests become even more critical. Major planted forests, such as the 75,000-hectare Saihanba Mechanized Forest Farm, sequester vast amounts of carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen and moderating local climates. Such efforts are vital in supporting global climate targets and exemplify how sustainable forest management bolsters both environmental and food security.
Innovative agroforestry models—ranging from mulberry-dike fish ponds to intercropping systems—are bridging the gap between ecological preservation and agricultural production. Programs like Grain for Green, which have transformed millions of farmland plots into vibrant forests and grasslands, serve as shining examples of multi-stakeholder collaboration that are vital for a sustainable future.
In an era when global food security is under unprecedented pressure, the integration of forests into our food and agricultural systems offers a beacon of hope. By advancing eco-friendly practices, fostering rural innovation, and mitigating the impacts of climate change, the Chinese mainland is championing solutions that have the potential to inspire sustainable models around the world.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
