The Chinese central government has issued its first policy document for 2012. It's also known as the No. 1 Central Document, and provides a policy blueprint for the year to come. And this year, it's once again all about the rural sector. The document, issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, includes a series of new policies to support farmers, enhance scientific innovation and development for the agricultural sector.

According to the document, China will step up allocate more resources to the rural area, enhance the development mode of farming parts of the country, and encourage scientific research and development in the agricultural sector.

The first policy document of the year puts the spotlight on modern farming. It sets out a plan to boost investment and subsidies in the agricultural sector, in order to stabilize grain production and improve supply.

Another goal is to narrow the disparity between urban and rural parts of China, by helping farmers earn more and providing them with subsidies. In particular, more subsidies will be granted to grain producers.

Education is also a focus, with the document proposing to step up investment in agricultural science training.

Since 2004, China's central government has called for greater efforts to address problems specific to the country's expansive rural areas.