context: The merger of NRRA and MARA shows the growing importance of coordinated rural development, which requires a stronger ministry to make concrete efforts. The 2023 agency reshuffle built a booming MARA, in line with the direction in this year's No. 1 Document to comprehensively modernise the 'three rurals', a framework taking a holistic view of all aspects of rural life.
In the past two years, the former NRRA (National Rural Revitalisation Administration) failed to win a strong position in the state's rural governance structure, resulting in its final merger with MARA (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs). Typically, SCOPSR (State Commission Office of Public Sectors Reform) decides on a new agency's responsibilities, administrative structure and staffing within a year after its establishment. However, this did not happen with NRRA. An anonymous insider cited by Southern Weekly revealed that NRRA had submitted two applications, both rejected by SCOPSR.
NRRA's awkward situation exposed the weakened political attention to rural revitalisation. The State Council Leading Group of Poverty Alleviation and Development, NRRA's predecessor that had existed for 35 years, was led directly by a vice-premier. With members from all the key ministries, it enjoyed strong powers of coordination. NRRA replaced the group in 2021. Although nominally at the same administrative level, it was managed by the vice-minister of MARA, responsible for implementing specific policies rather than policy-making and coordination. This triggered a turf war between NRRA and MARA, each desiring a stronger role in rural work.
The merger reflected the state's determination to firmly push forward rural development with more influential leadership, said Tang Lixia 唐丽霞 China Agricultural University professor. MARA now covers all aspects of the 'three rurals'.