The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China clearly stated that the realization of socialist modernization is a historical process of step-by-step progression and continuous development and progress, and emphasized the need to build agriculture into a large modern industry. The No. 1 Central Document of 2026 made important arrangements for developing new agricultural productivity in accordance with local conditions, pointing out the direction for agricultural modernization in the new era. Agriculture is not only the fundamental support for ensuring food security, but also the material foundation for consolidating national unity. It is also a key link to promote the common prosperity of all ethnic groups. Compared with the developed areas in the east, agriculture in my country's border ethnic areas has long been restricted by natural geographical conditions. There are obvious shortcomings in infrastructure, talent reserves, technological transformation, industrial extension and other fields. It is particularly urgent to develop new agricultural productivity. Based on the unique perspective of the united front and the awareness of the Chinese nation's community, combined with the special attributes of agricultural development in border ethnic areas, we should adhere to infrastructure empowerment, talent and intellectual support, technological innovation drive, industrial ecological support, step-by-step advancement, long-term success, and accelerate the advancement of agriculture in border ethnic areas towards a modern industry, so as to drive common prosperity and prosperity for all ethnic groups.
The theoretical logic of stepwise advancement of new agricultural productivity
The connotation and stepped characteristics of new agricultural productivity
New agricultural productivity is an advanced form of productivity that takes high and new technologies such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and intelligent equipment as the core driving force, and achieves continuous improvement in agricultural total factor productivity through systematic improvements in the quality of workers, labor materials, labor objects, and their combination methods.
Agricultural production in border ethnic areas is not a simple economic process, but a complex system that is deeply intertwined with natural reproduction, economic reproduction, and ethnic and social reproduction. Its development must not only break the natural geographical constraints of more mountains, less land, and fragile ecology, but also adapt to the thousands of years of planting traditions and production and living customs passed down by the ethnic groups. It must also carry the social function of forging a sense of community for the Chinese nation. This special attribute determines the practical logic of its natural step-by-step progression in the development of new agricultural productivity.
First, the functions are compound and progressive. Agricultural development is not only a material output, but also undertakes the social function of inheriting the nation's excellent farming culture and promoting people of all ethnic groups to live together, learn together, build and share together, and work together to enjoy each other. The development of new agricultural productivity in borderland ethnic areas is based on ensuring food security and empowering rural revitalization, and gradually superimposes multiple functions such as ecological conservation, characteristic planting and breeding techniques, ethnic farming culture, and ethnic unity and progress. From meeting the basic survival needs of people of all ethnic groups to realizing the comprehensive value of agricultural multifunctionality, the functional level follows the law of progression from basic security to comprehensive empowerment.
Second, technological adaptation is advancing step by step. Border ethnic areas are mountainous and fragmented. Agricultural technology must be deeply coupled with regional resource endowments, climatic conditions and planting traditions. From the improvement of traditional technologies by small farmers, to the promotion of smart equipment by new business entities, and then to the digital integration of the entire industry chain, technological penetration shows a step-by-step progression from local improvement to system reshaping, from low-level to high-level. It cannot be divorced from the local production base and simply copy the model of developed areas.
Third, the main body collaborates to advance. The development of new agricultural productivity in border ethnic areas relies on the collaborative linkage of multiple entities such as governments, enterprises, scientific research institutions, social organizations, and farmers. The collaborative model has gradually advanced from policy-guided loose cooperation to close interest-linked linkage, ultimately forming an innovative ecosystem with deep integration of "government, industry, academia, research, and application" and extensive participation by people of all ethnic groups to build and share. In this process, the collaboration of multiple entities not only drives ethnic minority people to be deeply embedded in the industrial chain, but also transforms the process of technological innovation and industrial upgrading into a vivid practice of exchanges, exchanges and integration among various ethnic groups, and the synergy efficiency increases step by step.
The inner mechanism of stepwise advancement of new agricultural productivity
(1) Anchoring the universal law of modernization: the underlying logic of step-by-step progression. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made a major conclusion that "the realization of socialist modernization is a historical process of step-by-step progression and continuous development and progress", which profoundly revealed the universal law of the modernization process: industrial upgrading is never a one-time jump process, but follows an objective evolution path from accumulation of factors to efficiency release, from local breakthroughs to system formation. "Leap-forward development" that is divorced from the basis of reality will only fall into the misunderstanding of formalism. This law is rooted in the Marxist productivity theory - a new productivity state cannot be generated out of thin air. It must be based on the full development of productivity in the previous stage, through technological innovation, to create a qualitative change point, and then gradually expand to a jump in the efficiency of the entire system. The development foundation of border ethnic minority areas is uneven, and the objective law of step-by-step advancement of productivity must be respected. Stepwise progression is the theoretical cornerstone of the general theory of modernization extending to the agricultural field in border ethnic areas, and it is also an important prerequisite for promoting ethnic unity through industrial development.
(2) Based on the special attributes of agriculture and the actual conditions of the frontier: rigid constraints of step-by-step progression. Agriculture has the dual attributes of intertwined natural reproduction and economic reproduction, which determines that its modernization step-by-step progressive characteristics are more significant than those of industry. The industry can rely on standardized parks and centralized production lines to quickly realize technological iterations, but the growth rhythm of agricultural organisms cannot be compressed, and climate and soil conditions cannot be replicated. The promotion of new varieties and the implementation of new technologies must go through a complete cycle of "adaptation trials, field verification, and gradual popularization". Specific to border ethnic areas, a series of conditions such as land fragmentation, weak infrastructure, and differences in people's production habits and living customs are superimposed, and the step-by-step progression feature is more significant. Therefore, the transformation from traditional agriculture to modern agriculture cannot bypass the improvement of farmland water conservancy, popularization of agricultural mechanization, and sound agricultural technology extension system, and jump directly to the stage of comprehensive smart agriculture. Therefore, climbing up step by step from low-level to high-level, from tradition to modernity is not only an objective path for the development of agricultural productivity, but also an inevitable choice to respect the actual agricultural conditions in border ethnic areas.
(3) Follow the logic of new productivity generation: the inherent requirement of step-by-step progress. As an advanced form of agricultural modernization, new agricultural productivity must inherit and internalize the historical logic of step-by-step progression. Its formation is the result of the synergy of multiple factors such as hardware facilities, talent teams, innovation systems, and industrial ecology. It requires a step-by-step transition of "basic elements, talent quality, technology efficiency, and industrial ecology." Specifically, infrastructure is the "base". Without complete facilities, talents will have nowhere to take root; talents are "living water". Without the intellectual support of high-quality workers, including local talents from ethnic minorities, science and technology will lack the source of innovation; science and technology is the "engine". Without the breakthrough drive of core technologies, industrial upgrading will lose the core of motivation; industrial ecology is the "melting pot". Without a systematic integrated industrial system, inputs in factors such as foundation, talent, and technology cannot be aggregated into realistic new productivity. This interlocking and step-by-step development logic constitutes the theoretical basis for the step-by-step advancement of new agricultural productivity in border ethnic areas, and also provides a practical path for promoting the common prosperity of all ethnic groups.
The practical direction of stepwise advancement of new agricultural productivity in border ethnic areas
my country's border ethnic areas are vast, with widely varying natural conditions, a high proportion of mountains and hills, and outstanding endowments of characteristic agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery resources. However, they generally face practical contradictions such as the difficulty of mechanization of mountainous areas, insufficient talent reserves in ethnic villages, lagging application of agricultural science and technology, and short industrial chains in some counties. To promote the step-by-step advancement of new agricultural productivity in border ethnic areas, we must not only systematically make up for the outstanding shortcomings in agricultural development, but also build a strong awareness of the Chinese nation's community throughout the entire development process. Through improving the quality and efficiency of the agricultural industry, we can drive people of all ethnic groups to increase their income and become rich, and continuously consolidate the material foundation for the unity and progress of border ethnic groups.
Consolidate infrastructure and build a solid foundation for the step-by-step advancement of new agricultural productivity in border ethnic areas
Infrastructure is the physical carrier of new agricultural productivity. We should follow the progressive logic of "laying a solid foundation - filling in the blanks - digital empowerment", and the focus of resource allocation should be tilted towards counties and ethnic townships inhabited by ethnic minorities, so as to create a thick plant material base for the stepwise advancement of new agricultural productivity. The first is to accelerate the construction of high-standard farmland. Focusing on grain production functional areas and important characteristic agricultural product production protection zones, we will coordinate and promote projects such as field improvement, irrigation and drainage facilities, and field roads in areas inhabited by ethnic minorities to continue to improve the quality of cultivated land and farmland disaster prevention and resilience. Based on the realistic conditions of mountainous and fragmented land in border ethnic areas, we should carry out mechanized transformation of farmland according to local conditions to create basic conditions for large-scale and standardized agricultural production. The second is to systematically improve the water conservancy infrastructure network. Accelerate the renewal and modernization of large and medium-sized irrigation areas, put the construction of small farmland water conservancy facilities in a prominent position, and open up the "last mile" of farmland irrigation. Vigorously promote the construction of rainwater collection and utilization and water-saving irrigation facilities, improve water resource utilization efficiency, and enhance the comprehensive ability of rural agriculture where ethnic groups live to withstand drought and other natural disasters. The third is to make up for the shortcomings of cold chain logistics and circulation facilities. Focusing on the characteristic planting and breeding industry in border ethnic areas, commercial processing facilities such as pre-cooling, preservation, grading, and packaging should be deployed near the production areas of agricultural products, and the three-level cold chain logistics system in counties and villages should be improved to reduce the circulation loss of agricultural products and expand the sales radius of agricultural products. We will improve the layout of wholesale markets in production areas and agricultural product distribution centers, and smooth the circulation channels for agricultural products of all ethnic groups out of villages and into cities. The fourth is to lay out new agricultural infrastructure in advance. Promote the extension of digital infrastructure such as 5G networks and Internet of Things sensing equipment to agricultural parks and large-scale planting and breeding bases, and coordinate the construction of regional agricultural big data platforms. Promote the digital and intelligent upgrading of traditional agricultural infrastructure, continue to bridge the digital divide in border ethnic areas, and build solid hardware support for the implementation of smart agriculture and the digital transformation of the entire agricultural chain. The iterative upgrade of infrastructure not only provides material support for the jump in agricultural productivity, but also directly improves the production and living conditions of people of all ethnic groups, gradually narrows the development gap between border ethnic areas and developed areas, and consolidates the material foundation of ethnic unity.
Cultivate and strengthen the talent team, and plant new agricultural quality productivity in border ethnic areas to support step-by-step advancement.
The talent team is the first resource for new agricultural productivity. The construction of the talent team needs to follow the progressive logic of "structural optimization - mechanism innovation - ecological creation" to provide intellectual support for the step-by-step advancement of new agricultural productivity, and to promote exchanges and integration of various ethnic groups through the gathering of talents. The first is to optimize the structure of the talent team. Precisely introduce agricultural strategic scientists and leading scientific and technological talents, and form scientific research teams around cutting-edge fields such as seed industry innovation and smart agriculture. Deeply implement the local talent cultivation project, carry out systematic skills training for ethnic minority groups, and enhance the entire industry chain operation and management capabilities of new business entity leaders, young farmers, and returning entrepreneurs in border ethnic minority areas. Targeted training of modern agricultural machinery operators, rural e-commerce operators, agricultural managers and other in-demand skilled talents, fully exploring local talents such as ethnic minority "field talents" and "local experts", and building a "pyramid" agricultural talent team with high-end leadership, backbone support and solid foundation. The second is to innovate the talent development mechanism. Deepen the reform of talent evaluation in scientific research institutes and universities, and take the actual results of industrial development in serving border ethnic areas as an important assessment guide. Promote the agricultural technology service model of "county-level coordination, township use, and sinking to villages" to guide agricultural technicians to go to ethnic minority villages to provide front-line services, and directly link service performance with professional title evaluation and performance rewards. Support scientific researchers to share industrial profits through technology shares, part-time remuneration, and achievement dividends. Establish a two-way flow mechanism for talents, support experts in taking temporary positions in enterprises in border ethnic areas, encourage entrepreneurs and local talents from ethnic minorities to enter the classroom to carry out practical teaching, and promote the cross-border circulation of intellectual resources. Give full play to the advantages of the united front platform and guide non-party experts and private agricultural entrepreneurs to devote themselves to the construction of ethnic rural industries. The third is to create a good talent development ecosystem. Coordinate various policy resources to provide convenient services in housing security, children's education, medical health and other aspects for agricultural talents who invest in ethnic minority areas in border areas. Plan and build a number of agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship incubation bases and science and technology courtyards to attract ethnic minority youths to participate in innovation and entrepreneurship, and build a practice platform for talents and entrepreneurship. Vigorously promote the spirit of scientists, craftsmen, and entrepreneurs, select and publicize advanced models of various ethnic groups serving "agriculture, rural areas, and farmers," and tell vivid stories of all ethnic groups working together to develop modern agriculture. Create a development culture that respects talents, encourages innovation, tolerates failure, and promotes fair competition, and promotes national unity and progress through the gathering of talents. The talent team continues to grow, which not only injects intellectual momentum into the development of new agricultural productivity, but also promotes people of all ethnic groups to improve their skills through mutual learning and education, and enhances their identity through collaboration and mutual assistance, continuously injecting endogenous power into the common prosperity of all ethnic groups.
Strengthen scientific and technological innovation and stimulate the step-by-step momentum of new agricultural productivity in border ethnic areas
Scientific and technological innovation is the key engine of new agricultural productivity. Promote agricultural scientific and technological innovation in border ethnic areas, taking into account technological advancement and regional applicability, and follow the progressive logic of “key breakthroughs – integrated application – system promotion” to inject strong impetus into the step-by-step advancement of new agricultural productivity. The first is to strengthen key core technologies. Focusing on key areas such as innovation of advantageous and characteristic germplasm resources in border ethnic areas, preservation and intensive processing of specialty agricultural products, green intelligent agricultural machinery and equipment in mountainous areas, and green ecological planting and breeding, we will set up major scientific and technological projects and implement the "revealing and leading" research model, striving to achieve technological breakthroughs in cutting-edge directions such as biological breeding, green planting, and agricultural product processing, and improve the level of industrial independence and controllability. Actively connect with national-level scientific research forces, carry out appropriate cross-regional agricultural science and technology cooperation, jointly build joint scientific research platforms, and promote the implementation of improved varieties and methods adapted to different geographical conditions such as border mountains and plateaus. The second is to deepen the integration of digital technology and the entire agricultural chain. Deploy a "sky-ground" integrated agricultural sensor network and improve the regional agricultural big data platform. Promote Internet of Things monitoring, intelligent irrigation, precision feeding, drone plant protection and other technical means in large-scale planting bases and livestock and poultry aquaculture bases in ethnic minority areas; use artificial intelligence to carry out yield prediction, intelligent diagnosis of pests and diseases, and market demand research and judgment. Relying on the regional digital information hub, we will build a regional agricultural digital service platform, open up data links in all aspects of production, processing, circulation, and sales, and help farmers of all ethnic groups transform from "experience planting" to "data decision-making." The third is to accelerate the transformation of agricultural scientific and technological achievements. Build and strengthen the agricultural technology extension service system at the grassroots level in ethnic rural areas, and explore the construction of a joint service model of "industrial experts + science and technology commissioners + ethnic minority local talents". Support leading enterprises to take the lead in forming innovation consortiums, lay out pilot bases for the transformation of agricultural scientific and technological achievements, and science and technology demonstration parks, and give priority to creating technology application demonstration models in ethnic townships and villages inhabited by ethnic minorities. Improve the technology trading market and intermediary service system, improve the rights distribution mechanism for scientific and technological achievements, fully stimulate the vitality of various business entities of all ethnic groups to transform their achievements, and allow the dividends of scientific and technological innovation to benefit more people of all ethnic groups in the border areas. Breakthroughs in scientific and technological innovation have provided the core driving force for the jump in agricultural productivity, continued to narrow the development gap in border ethnic areas, and empowered all ethnic groups to become rich and prosperous with the dividends of science and technology.
Optimize the industrial ecology and expand the step-by-step space for new agricultural productivity in border ethnic areas
The modern industrial system is the main field of new agricultural productivity. The development of the agricultural industry in border areas with ethnic minorities must closely integrate the improvement of industry quality and efficiency with the strengthening of the consciousness of the Chinese nation's community, and proceed along the path of "vertical extension-horizontal integration-system integration" to build solid physical support for the step-by-step advancement of new agricultural productivity. The first is to promote the vertical extension of the industrial chain and increase the added value of agricultural products. Guide the transformation of characteristic agricultural industries in border ethnic areas from selling primary raw materials to deeply processed products and branded commodities, and drive ethnic minority people to be deeply embedded in the industrial chain. Vigorously develop intensive processing of agricultural products, develop high value-added agricultural products, lay out a number of agricultural product processing clusters and cold chain logistics hubs, and attract ethnic minority people to find jobs nearby. Continue to strengthen the regional agricultural public brand, deeply explore the value of the characteristic products of various ethnic groups, improve the quality traceability system of agricultural products, obtain market premiums through brand building, and broaden the channels for people of all ethnic groups to increase their income. The second is to strengthen the horizontal integration of "agriculture +" and cultivate emerging agricultural industries. Based on the agricultural resources, ethnic culture and ecological mountain resources in border ethnic areas, we will promote the deep integration of agriculture with cultural tourism, health care, research and education and other industries, create pastoral tourism, farming experience, popular science research, leisure and vacation and other diversified business formats, vividly inherit the traditional farming culture of all ethnic groups, and promote the interaction and integration of people of all ethnic groups. Vigorously develop rural e-commerce and live streaming, support ethnic minority e-commerce practitioners, actively develop new models such as customized agriculture and shared farms, and expand the upstream channels for border agricultural products. Simultaneously develop producer service industries such as agricultural exhibitions, scientific and technological innovation services, and supply chain finance, leverage the advantages of united front resources to guide private capital to participate in construction, and promote two-way empowerment of agriculture and the service industry. The third is to build a modern management system and improve the interest linkage mechanism shared by people of all ethnic groups. Increase support for new agricultural business entities, and support ethnic minority people in establishing leading enterprises, farmers' professional cooperatives, family farms and other business entities. Encourage the establishment of agricultural industrialization consortiums through order acquisitions, shareholding cooperation, etc., and promote the organic connection between small farmers, especially minority farmers, and the development of modern agriculture. We should innovate the income distribution model and promote benefit-sharing models such as "guaranteed acquisition + dividends based on shares", "resources turned into assets, funds turned into stock capital, farmers turned into shareholders", so that ethnic minority people can fully share the value-added benefits of the industrial chain. The industrial ecology is constantly optimized, providing a systematic integration carrier for the generation of new agricultural productivity, continuing to broaden the paths for people of all ethnic groups to increase their incomes and becoming rich, and building a community of shared future for shared interests and development in the process of extending the industrial chain and upgrading the value chain, and consolidating the material foundation of ethnic unity in border areas through industrial common prosperity.
Author: Wei Mingsheng, senior economist at Guangxi Mechanical and Electrical Vocational and Technical College, Lu Bingqiang, senior economist at Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences
