Potential and challenge, pathway and action for large-scale rice yield increasement in China

China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of rice. Increasing large-scale rice yield per unit area is a critical pathway and a vital strategic measure for ensuring national food safety and achieving the goal of “holding the rice bowl firmly within our own hands”. This paper provided an overview of the development status of rice production in China, analyzed the potential and difficulties of increasing yield per unit area, and explored the current challenges and issues facing such efforts. A systematic action plan called “1234567” and a conceptual framework were proposed for enhancing rice yield per unit area in large scale. The “1234567” action plan included: One core task, two key requirements, three principles and collaborative goals, four improvement directions, the "five-storage" action ways, “six-excellence” supporting projects, and “seven empowerment” systems. Based on this framework, ten recommendations were also provided to enhance rice yield per unit area in China. These suggested scientific and technological innovation projects included: 1) All-factor and multi-scenario intelligent monitoring and decision-making support system for major rice-producing areas in China; 2) Breeding-selection-optimal allocation for high- and stable-yield rice varieties; 3) Rice yield enhancement through rational dense planting; 4) Integrated intelligent technologies for the precision application of water, fertilizers, pesticides and feeds; 5) Prevention and mitigation of frequent and sudden major agricultural disasters; 6) Paddy agro-biodiversity utilization and eco-circular agriculture; 7) Rice yield enhancement through “area expansion and time extension” approach; 8) Intelligent technologies for the entire producing processes including plowing, planting, management, and harvesting links; 9) High-standard farmland construction and sustainable soil fertility improvement; 10) Integrated achievement transformation service through “government-industry-university-institute-promotion center-producer” collaboration. These findings will provide a reference for scientific research and decision-making to increase rice yield per unit area in a large scale and safeguarding food security in China.