Food security: can drones and BeiDou put an end to ‘paper farming’ in China?

A rural policy expert argues that China's agriculture sector requires technological innovation, not increased farmland, to enhance food security and yields. This statement follows a state media investigation by CCTV's Focus Report on July 14. The investigation alleged that officials in Jianghua Yao county, Yongzhou, Hunan province, inflated the size of mandatory rice crops to meet their targets. This practice, referred to as "paper farming," involves misreporting the extent of farmland used for cultivation. The expert's remarks suggest a shift in strategy is needed to address food security challenges effectively.