职业农民制度 (zhíyè nóngmín zhìdù): Professional farmers' system

The Central Rural Work Conference, held on Thursday and Friday, drew up a blueprint for the country's agricultural development in 2018 and beyond.

One notable move is the plan to establish a professional farmers' system. The conference vowed to fully establish a professional farmers' system and strengthen the building of a team of professionals in the rural regions.

The conference also vowed to "let farming be an attractive profession". In an earlier news conference, Ye Zhenqin, vice-minister of agriculture, said that China plans to train more than a million new professional farmers to meet the nation's agricultural demands.

According to Ye, China will support more new businesses that combine the agricultural, the industrial and the service sectors, and use Internet Plus technologies.

China will also cultivate a number of exemplary family farms, cooperatives and industrialized unions, so as to set good examples for farmers nationwide.

Besides encouraging professional farmers, scientists and researchers are expected to play a supportive role, while commercial capital is encouraged to more actively participate in the revitalization of China's rural regions.