Sustainable agriculture in China: Land policies, food and farming issues

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Abstract

Despite overproduction, the industrial model of globalized agriculture does not provide sufficient and nutritious food for the world’s population. According to Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates, approximately 805 million people worldwide are currently affected by hunger. The IAASTD study, commissioned by the World Bank, clearly debunks the myth that industrial agriculture is superior to small-scale farming in economic, social, and ecological terms. The report argues for a new agriculture paradigm in the 21st century, recognizing the pivotal role that small-scale farmers play in feeding a growing world population in a sustainable way – particularly in Asia, Africa and Latin America. In January 2015, Chinese dairy farmers had to pour away 600 kilograms of milk per day, as a global glut of milk drove prices to six-year lows. This occurred although Chinese imports of milk and milk products (especially milk power) from Germany had doubled the previous year. Additionally, media reported on gigantic new Chinese dairy farm investments in Russia, with Russian farmers protesting against Chinese land-grabbing in their country. In June 2015, the Chinese enterprise Huae Sinban leased 115,000 hectare of land in the Baikal region, another 100,000 hectare were rented for feeding 100,000 milk cows. Why did Chinese farmers have to pour away their milk while gigantic new dairy farms were built?