BEIJING, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a State Council decree to publish a revised regulation on national agricultural census, which will take effect on May 1, 2026.

Farmers drive agricultural machinery to plant taro in Nanqiao Town of Xingtang County, Shijiazhuang of north China's Hebei Province, March 25, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

The revisions expand the scope of the census to include rural industrial development and village construction, while introducing new data-collection methods such as remote sensing.

Data quality controls will be strengthened. The new rules spell out a post-census spot-check system and confidentiality obligations for census personnel.

The revised regulation also takes a tougher stance on data falsification. Those found guilty of fabricating or manipulating statistics face more severe penalties, ranging from higher fines to criminal prosecution.

The changes come as China prepares to conduct its fourth national agricultural census, aimed at capturing the current picture of agricultural development, rural construction, farmers' living standards and the outcomes of rural reform.

The census will cover agricultural production conditions, grain output, new quality productive forces in agriculture, rural development and rural residents' living conditions.