As tensions and transformations redefine the landscape between the U.S. and China, China's crop protection industry is entering a new phase, says Li Zhonghua, Secretary-General of the China Crop Protection Industry Association (CCPIA), in an exclusive interview conducted by AgriBusiness Global. The conversation sheds light on two key developments: a strategic pivot away from volume-based growth and the integration of high-tech solutions in crop input production.

"The old model of scale expansion is being phased out," explains Li. Enterprises are shifting from quantity to quality, realigning their priorities toward novel pesticide development and R&D innovation. While overall investment dipped sharply in the first half of the year, Li notes that targeted innovation spending is on the rise-signaling a maturing industry that's aiming to outgrow fierce internal competition.

In fact, "involution"-the term used to describe excessive, unproductive competition within a sector-is being discouraged at the state level. The CCPIA is actively working to foster rational competition among its member companies, aiming for loterm sustainability and resilience in the sector.

A second key trend is the rapid adoption of advanced technologies. According to Li, biotechnology, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and smart control systems are becoming core components of China's crop protection landscape. These innovations promise to transform how active ingredients are discovered, how pesticides are manufactured, and how safety and environmental regulations are met. In the near future, the industry may see fully automated production facilities and precision-engineered compounds, redefining input supply chains not just in China, but globally.

Meanwhile, China's food production policies are also reshaping ag input strategies. President Xi Jinping's directive that the nation must "hold its rice bowl firmly in its own hands" reflects a high-level push for self-sufficiency in staple foods. To that end, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has launched a unit-yield enhancement plan aimed at increasing per-acre productivity through better seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, and machinery.

This evolution in food production is creating new technical demands for pesticide application. For example, no-till farming requires non-selective herbicides, while multiple cropping systems and intercropping practices introduce complexity in managing pests and weeds. These shifts challenge manufacturers to adapt formulations and delivery systems that suit China's emerging agricultural models.

Pesticides are no longer "one-size-fits-all," emphasizes Li. Instead, they must meet the needs of diversified cropping systems, climate-smart practices, and stricter environmental oversight.

For U.S. stakeholders-especially ag exporters, input developers, and policymakers-China's evolving crop protection and food securitywork represents both a strategic shift and a competitive signal. China is investing heavily in its own supply chains and R&D capacity, and U.S. firms should closely monitor how China's internal reforms might influence global input markets and regulatory trends.