In a decisive step towards future-proofing its food systems, Shanghai has unveiled its Modern Facility Agriculture Master Plan (2024–2035)—an ambitious blueprint that aims to revolutionise urban horticulture through innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration.
As rapid urbanisation and climate challenges mount, the city’s strategic vision not only addresses food security but also reinforces Shanghai’s position as a pioneer in metropolitan agriculture.A cornerstone of the plan is the deepening of international partnerships, with the Netherlands—world-renowned for its advanced agri-tech and greenhouse technologies—highlighted as a priority partner. With more than 3,600 hectares earmarked for high-end facility farming alongside dedicated research parks and demonstration farms, Shanghai offers fertile ground for Dutch enterprises to localise and scale their expertise. From automated climate-controlled greenhouses to water-saving irrigation, vertical farming, hydroponics, and circular agriculture practices, a host of innovation-driven opportunities await within this rapidly evolving urban landscape.
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Since 2023, Shanghai has identified modern horticulture as a key pillar of its urban-rural integration and rural revitalisation efforts. The Master Plan—aligned with the Yangtze River Delta integration strategy—envisions a holistic system where farmland, research, innovation, and communities co-exist symbiotically. Anchored by five guiding pillars—scientific and technological leadership, high-quality food security, integrated spatial development, full industry chain innovation, and global collaboration—the initiative seeks to blend high-tech farming methods with ecological sustainability and social inclusivity.
Central to the plan’s spatial design is the “One Core, Four Wings, Three Circles” framework, complemented by a “12 + X + 1” structure. This system integrates protected farmland with urban and suburban developments, research clusters, and innovation hubs. Notable projects include the Zhangjiang Seed Valley in Pudong, the Fengxian Agri-Tech Valley, and the Yangtze Delta Agri Silicon Valley in Chongming, all aimed at advancing breeding, smart farming systems, and sustainable aquaculture. The 16,000-hectare Hengsha Island Modern Agricultural Industrial Park stands as a flagship model for green, circular agriculture, showcasing Shanghai’s commitment to building a resilient and globally aligned agri-food system.
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IIT Roorkee Meet Champions Sustainable Innovation
