China’s 10-year plan for food security: What Jamaica can learn

These days, with food prices climbing and the climate getting more unpredictable, the question on everybody’s mind is simple: how do we make sure our plates stay full?

Across the globe, countries are looking inward – reassessing how they grow, store, and consume food. China, one of the largest and most densely populated nations in the world, has decided it’s time to dig deep, literally, take full control of its food future. The country has rolled out a bold 10-year plan for food security, and guess what? There are some solid lessons Jamaica can take from it.

At its core, China’s plan is about reducing its reliance on imported food by producing more of what its people eat. They are not just planting more crops, they are doing it smarter. We are talking high-tech farming: drones in the fields, AI managing irrigation, and biotech making crops stronger and more nutritious.

They are also making a big push to protect the land they already have: restoring soil, conserving water, and making farming more sustainable overall. And beyond the fields, China is building better food storage and distribution systems so that what is grown does not go to waste.

WHAT CAN WE TAKE FROM CHINA’S EXAMPLE?

Let us look at our context. Jamaica, like many small island nations, imports a massive chunk of the food we eat every day. And we have seen what can happen when borders close or when shipping gets delayed. Shelves run low, prices climb high, and it’s the average Jamaican who feels it the most. So, what can we take from China’s example?

First off, we need to get serious about using technology in our own farming. We might not be able to afford high-end drones in every district, but there are simpler tools we can put in the hands of our farmers – like mobile apps for crop tracking, affordable irrigation systems, or climate-smart techniques that help protect against drought and flooding.

Our universities are full of bright minds; we just need to bridge that gap between classroom and countryside.

Then there is the issue of land. We have plenty of arable land sitting idle across the island. Some of it has been passed down through generations but remains untouched because the support is just not there. If we can find a way to get that land back into production with access to funding, tools, and training then our farmers could help feed not just themselves, but the nation.

China is also putting big focus on growing what they eat the most. That is a no-brainer for us, too. Instead of relying so heavily on imported flour, rice, and canned goods, we can put more effort into boosting local staples like yam, cassava, sweet potato, breadfruit, and callaloo. Not only are they healthier, but they grow right here and support local livelihoods.

Remember how we leaned on the ‘Grow What We Eat and Eat What We Grow’ campaign a few years ago? We need to bring that energy back and more.

INVESTMENT IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

One of the most overlooked parts of China’s plan is the investment in rural communities. They are not just handing farmers tools and walking away – they are building up entire support systems: training, finance, infrastructure, you name it. That’s a model we could adopt here.

Young people especially need to see farming not as something old-fashioned or backward, but as a viable business; a career that can put food on the table and money in the bank.

And finally, storage and preparedness. China is upgrading how food gets stored and moved so less goes to waste. In Jamaica, a bad storm or roadblock can wipe out an entire parish’s harvest if we do not have proper systems in place. We need better food storage, reliable transport networks, and even food reserves for times of crisis.

At the end of the day, China’s food security plan may be on a much larger scale, but the principles behind it are simple – and very relevant to us. It is about producing what we eat, protecting what we have, supporting our farmers, and planning ahead.

Jamaica has the land, the talent, and the know-how. What we need now is the will and the vision to turn our food future around.

As we like to say: wi likkle but wi tallawah. And when it comes to feeding our own, we cannot afford to wait on the world – we have to start at home. We have what it takes to prepare and prosper in this regard like we excel in many other areas of national interest and growth.

Leroy Fearon is the Acting Dean, Faculty of Education, The Mico University College, author and researcher. Email feedback to: leroyfearon85@gmail.com and editorial@gleanerjm.com

KEY POINTS

• Rising food prices and climate change have prompted countries to reassess food production and security.

• China’s 10-year food security plan focuses on reducing food imports by increasing domestic production.

• High-tech agriculture is central to China’s plan - using drones, AI, and biotech to improve crop yield and resilience.

• China is protecting agricultural land through soil restoration, water conservation, and sustainable farming practices.

• Improved food storage and distribution systems help reduce waste and ensure food availability.

• Jamaica imports a large portion of its food, making it vulnerable to external shocks like border closures or shipping delays.

• Jamaica can adopt technology in farming, even at a smaller scale - such as mobile apps, affordable irrigation, and climate-smart techniques.

• Idle arable land in Jamaica should be brought back into production with better access to funding, tools, and training.

• Focus should shift to locally grown staples like yam, cassava, sweet potato, breadfruit, and callaloo instead of imported food.

• The ‘Grow What We Eat, Eat What We Grow’ mindset needs to be revived and expanded.

• Investment in rural communities is key - supporting farmers with training, financing, infrastructure, and systems.

• Changing the perception of farming among youth is vital - seeing it as a viable and profitable career.

• Upgraded food storage and transport networks are necessary to minimise losses due to natural disasters or logistical issues.

• Though China operates on a larger scale, the principles of food security are highly applicable to Jamaica.

• Jamaica has the resources, talent, and potential - what’s needed is the vision and commitment to ensure food security and resilience.