On Oct 10, Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu said China created a new pattern for the development of agriculture, the countryside and farmers during the period of the 12th Five Year Plan (2011-15), by simultaneously promoted industrialization, information technology, urbanization and agricultural modernization.

Since the beginning of the 12th Five-Year Plan, the central government has given top priority to addressing the three issues of agriculture, the countryside and farmers by simultaneously promoting agricultural modernization along with industrialization, information technology and urbanization, and introducing a series of policies and measures that benefit the farmers.

Over the five years, China has reaped successive record crop harvests, remarkably improved famers' livelihoods and created a harmonious and stable situation in rural areas. Agricultural and rural development has become the "stabilizer" and "ballast" for China's social progress and economic development, Han said.

The achievements that have been made have laid a solid foundation for further boosting the development of agriculture and the countryside and improving farmer's livelihoods during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2015-2020) period.