In the face of accelerating urbanization, climate challenges, and increasing demand for sustainable food systems, Shanghai has laid out a bold and forward-looking strategy to transform its agricultural landscape. At the heart of this transformation lies the Shanghai Modern Facility Agriculture Master Plan (2024–2035), a comprehensive policy blueprint designed to guide the city's agricultural development through innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration. The plan opens the door for deep collaboration with international leaders in agriculture, and the Netherlands stands out as a priority partner.
The plan opens the door for deep collaboration with international leaders in agriculture—and the Netherlands stands out as a priority partner. With over 3,600 hectares designated for high-end facility farming, plus research parks, demo farms, and policy incentives, this is an ideal environment to localize and scale up with Dutch technologies.
Key opportunity areas in modern agriculture encompass a variety of innovative technologies and sustainable practices. These include greenhouse automation and climate control systems, which enhance efficiency and crop yields by optimizing environmental conditions. Water-saving irrigation and fertigation systems are crucial for conserving resources while maintaining productivity. Additionally, hydroponics, vertical farming, and aquaponics offer alternative farming methods that maximize space and reduce the need for traditional soil-based agriculture. Smart farming software and data platforms are transforming the industry by providing farmers with insights and analytics to make informed decisions. High-efficiency seed technologies are advancing crop resilience and performance. Lastly, waste-to-resource solutions in circular agriculture are promoting sustainability by converting agricultural waste into valuable resources, thus closing the loop in agricultural production. Together, these areas represent significant potential for innovation and growth in the agricultural sector.
Through joint ventures, technical services, or pilot projects, Dutch enterprises can play a leading role in shaping the next generation of Shanghai's agri-food system—one that is smart, green, and globally connected.
For the Netherlands—globally renowned for its advanced horticulture solutions and agri-tech prowess—the Master Plan presents an open invitation to engage, invest, and co-create within one of China's most dynamic urban regions.
Policy Background and Strategic Context
Since 2023, Shanghai has prioritized modern horticulture as a key component of its urban-rural integration and food security strategy. The Master Plan is complemented by a short-term implementation roadmap, jointly signaling the municipality's commitment to building a resilient, technologically advanced horticultural system.
Framed within China's broader rural revitalization agenda and the Yangtze River Delta integration strategy, this plan positions Shanghai as a pioneer in reimagining agriculture within a mega-city context—where farmland, research, innovation, and communities co-exist and co-evolve.
The Master Plan envisions the emergence of Shanghai as a national benchmark for modern horticulture, blending high-tech farming with ecological integrity and social inclusivity. The development strategy is guided by the following pillars:
Scientific and Technological Leadership: Harnessing Shanghai's strengths in R&D, talent, and capital to drive breakthroughs in seed technology, smart farming systems, and ecological agriculture.
High-Quality Food Security: Strengthening the city's capacity for steady, efficient, and clean agricultural production.
Integrated Spatial Development: Designing multifunctional zones that merge agricultural production with innovation, recreation, and public services.
Full Industry Chain Innovation: From upstream breeding and research to downstream logistics and retail, the plan seeks to optimize the entire agricultural value chain.
Global Collaboration: Building testbeds and business platforms that are open to international enterprises, especially those bringing proven technologies and scalable solutions.
Spatial structure: A new agricultural urbanism
To accommodate the complexity of metropolitan agriculture, Shanghai's plan introduces a tiered spatial framework called "One Core, Four Wings, Three Circles"
One Core: The central innovation hub in Shanghai's urban districts
Four Wings: Coordinated agri-development clusters in the east, west, south, and north, reflecting local landscapes and cultural identities
Three circles
Inner circle: Urban fringe zones around central Shanghai
Middle circle: Suburban and satellite towns
Outer circle: Rural districts and regional integration zones
This layout aims to integrate agriculture with protected farmland, green corridors, villages, towns, and leisure spaces—creating productive, ecological, and livable rural-urban interfaces.
"12 + X + 1" system: Building the backbone
At the core of this Master Plan is the establishment of a "12 + X + 1" spatial system—strategically designed to concentrate resources, scale innovation, and support diverse agricultural functions.
"12" Modern Horticulture and Greenhouse Zones (totaling 3,600 ha)
These zones are designed as demonstration sites for smart, sustainable, and specialized production. Each focuses on key crops and technologies—from digital vegetable factories to low-carbon mushroom farms and circular aquaponics systems.
"X" Agri-Tech Innovation Support Zones
To power these agricultural districts, Shanghai is building high-capacity research and innovation clusters. Key examples include:
Zhangjiang Seed Valley (Pudong): A world-class hub for plant breeding and biotech, fusing agri-innovation with the "medicine + food" health paradigm
Fengxian Agri-Tech Valley: Supported by Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, this zone focuses on seed development, protected horticulture, and agri-branding
Yangtze Delta Agri Silicon Valley (Chongming): A joint effort by leading universities and institutes, investing in agri-machinery, smart breeding, and aquaculture systems
These support spaces serve as incubators for high-tech agri-enterprises and offer tailored facilities for researchers, start-ups, and global companies.
Situated on Hengsha Island, the 16,000-hectare Modern Agricultural Industrial Park exemplifies Shanghai's ecological ambitions. With rice paddies, organic vegetables, and eco-fisheries, it sets the bar for green, circular, and globally aligned agricultural development.
Source: Agroberichten Buitenland