BEIJING, April 23 (Xinhua) -- China's rural industries maintained solid growth momentum in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, with agri-food processing, rural tourism and industrial integration all posting stellar performances, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said Thursday at a press conference.

This photo shows harvesters reaping wheat in the fields in Donglu Township of Ruicheng County of Yuncheng City, north China's Shanxi Province, June 4, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua)

Value-added output of agri-food processing enterprises with an annual main business revenue of at least 20 million yuan (about 2.91 million U.S. dollars) grew 6.8 percent year on year in the January-March period, according to the ministry.

Rural leisure and tourism saw robust expansion, driven by holiday spending and a growing appetite for experiential travel. New consumption scenarios have been emerging across the countryside, with increasing numbers of young entrepreneurs setting up guesthouses and rural cafes as new career paths.

Moreover, industrial integration continued to deepen. The government has supported the establishment of 40 industrial clusters with unique advantages and 50 modern agricultural industrial parks, as well as the development of 200 towns with strong agricultural industries, so far this year.

Looking ahead, the ministry said it will work to further bolster rural industries. Strong efforts will be made to cultivate distinctive local brands, develop leading enterprises, extend and upgrade industrial chains, expand new rural experience-based businesses, and step up policy support for rural entrepreneurship through increased funding and land use.

Official data also showed that rural residents saw their per capita disposable income grow 5.4 percent in real terms from a year ago in the first three months, outpacing urban income growth by 2.2 percentage points.

Meanwhile, fixed-asset investment in the primary sector rose 15.9 percent year on year in the first quarter, including high-standard farmland construction and facility upgrades. Rural consumer goods retail sales grew 3.1 percent as the government worked to broaden rural consumption scenarios and stimulate spending.