2024 Report on Sci-Tech Empowering Rural Transformation highlights women’s innovation and entrepreneurship

Yang Li, deputy director and research fellow, Rule of Law Development Research Office, Rural Economy Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, delivers a keynote speech at the International Forum on Sci-Tech Empowering Rural Transformation - 3rd Event.

“Advancement of agricultural technology has played a positive role in promoting Chinese women’s involvement in agricultural production and rural development,” Yang Li, deputy director and research fellow, Rule of Law Development Research Office, Rural Economy Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, said in her keynote speech.

She stated that China’s main approaches in this area include: 1) Providing women with agricultural science and technology education and training in order to enhance their technological skills and literacy. 2) Offering support with modern agricultural technologies, such as smart agricultural equipment, agricultural information systems, and biotechnology for the purpose of improving agricultural productivity. 3) Ensuring that women have equal access to agricultural resources, such as land, funding, seed, and fertilizer so as to support their participation in agricultural production. 4) Formulating and implementing policies that facilitate women’s involvement in agricultural science and technology, supporting them in agricultural innovation, and providing an enabling environment for research and development. 5) Assisting women in establishing market connections and improving their product sales capabilities, including support in market information, sales channels and brand building. 6) Encouraging women to establish and participate in agricultural cooperatives and farmers’ organizations in order to enhance their bargaining power and market competitiveness through collective action. 7) Promoting women’s participation in agricultural science and technology innovation and research, leveraging their creativity and innovative capabilities.