context: Attracting skilled labour is a challenge across the ag sector, and grain—a space that is still complicated by substantial state intervention—is no exception. Addressing the talent gap is among the policy goals for rural revitalisation, but the process will not be simple. A similar effort at Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences was met with mixed results, and even large private companies are struggling to hire top talent.
National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and State Grain and Materials Reserve issued ‘Implementation opinions on talent to benefit the grain industry', aimed at attracting and developing professional management personnel, scientists, engineers and policy researchers to the sector. The document stipulates
- focus areas
- improving the professional quality of management personnel
- developing specialists in grain technology
- building quality platforms such as key laboratories and technology innovation centres
- cultivating youth talent in grain technology
- developing engineers in ecological grain storage, grain and oil processing, equipment manufacturing, modern logistics and information technology areas
- developing think tanks for policy advice and analysis on food security
- building talent training bases
- major approaches
- optimising talent development and management systems via detailed development plans and training courses
- attracting and introducing highly skilled talent from outside the sector
- improving talent evaluation system and providing incentive schemes