March 21, the International Day of Forests, comes with a powerful reminder of nature's role in our daily lives. In 2024, China reached a significant milestone as its forest food output exceeded 200 million tonnes, making it the country's third most important agricultural sector after grain and vegetables.
This impressive achievement is a result of dedicated efforts to promote biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. China's forests not only nurture the environment but also provide an array of food products such as nuts, fruits, oils, mushrooms, herbs, and even support livestock raised under natural canopies. Strategic policies and initiatives—ranging from national guidelines on understory farming to key crop development plans for oil tea and hazelnuts—have paved the way for this growth.
Further boosting the sector, the release of an updated Ecological Product Catalogue in 2024 has helped improve resource management and economic sustainability. The forestry industry's total output value climbed to over 10 trillion yuan (approximately $1.4 trillion), marking a 9.6% increase from 2023. This dynamic progress not only showcases China's commitment to eco-friendly agricultural practices but also underscores the vital role forests play in global food security.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
