  China is the leading crop producer and has successfully implemented
sustainable development programs related to agriculture. Sustainable
agriculture has been promoted to achieve national food security targets such as
food self-sufficiency through the well-facilitated farmland construction (WFFC)
approach. The WFFC is introduced in Chinas current national 10-year plan to
consolidate farmlands into large and simplified production areas to maximise
automation, and improve soil fertility and productivity. However, research
suggests that diversified and smaller farms faciliate ecosystem services, can
improve yield resilience, defuse human health threats, and increase farm
profitability. Currently, WFFC has not considered ecological farmland
improvements and it may miss long-term environmental benefits including
ecosystem service preservation conducive to yields. Moreover, the nutritional
status in China has changed in recent decades with undernutrition being
dramatically reduced, but the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and chronic
diseases being increased. While a strategic choice and management of crop and
livestock species can improve nutrition, the environmental and production
benefits of agricultural diversification are currently not well interlinked
with Chinas food and nutrition security discussions. Lastly, the role of
agricultural technology for socioeconomic benefits and the link with
diversified agricultural production may provide vast benefits for food
security. Here, we focus on the opportunities and co-benefits of agricultural
diversification and technology innovations to advance food and nutrition
security in China through ecosystem service and yield benefits. Our applied
five-point research agenda can provide evidence-based opportunities to support
China in reaching its ambitious food security targets through agricultural
diversification with global ramifications.
