Policies nourishing sustainability: China's path to sustainable agri-food development

Abstract

Over the past two decades, China's remarkable economic growth has brought forth opportunities and challenges, including unsustainable food systems. Policies are pivotal in driving sustainable development, facilitating a balance between food supply, consumer demands, and environmental goals, thereby promoting a more sustainable food system. This study delves into the role of national policies from 2000 to 2022 in addressing these challenges, intending to reveal policy characteristics and potential impacts on agriculture and food. The research employs heat-map analysis, neural networks analysis, and topic analysis to explore policy concepts and themes, with findings underscoring the significance of rural development and food safety within agri-food policies. The presence of policy duplication and complementarity across different ministries provides valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of policy and their implications for sustainable agri-food systems in China and global sustainability endeavors.