China's experience in converting rice-growing land to other agricultural land

Abstract

By employing a literature review approach, this article analyzes China's experience in converting rice-growing land to other agricultural land-use types to draw lessons for agricultural restructuring in Vietnam. In the context of rapid urbanization and declining rice-growing efficiency, China established a strict management mechanism through the "red line" of agricultural land and maintained a minimum of 120 million hectares of arable land to ensure food security. The study identifies three typical conversion models: conversion to perennial fruit trees, vegetable cultivation, and integrated rice-fish farming, reflecting different levels of economic efficiency and environmental impact. Experience shows that rice land conversion is only sustainable when implemented within the agricultural land itself, with mechanisms to compensate for equivalent land area and quality, and linked to technical support and market connections from local authorities. These results provide a basis for Vietnam to refer to in developing flexible rice land use policies that ensure food security and long-term environmental protection.