PurposeThis study aims to identify the importance of agricultural and rural modernization and propose ways to accelerate such modernization.Design/methodology/approachThe authors systematically examine the crucial role that the modernization of agriculture and rural areas plays in China, discuss the current issues in China's modernization from the perspective of agricultural and rural fields and propose practical measures to accelerate agricultural and rural modernization.FindingsThis study emphasizes the importance of China's agricultural and rural modernization in five aspects: the significance inherent in theories and experiences, the high complexity of the modernization work, the extreme difficulty of the task, the particular sluggishness of the process and its specific impact on the overall development. Numerous shortcomings in domestic agriculture and rural areas have been identified. The following actions can help achieve modernization: strengthening strategic leadership, providing policy support and constructing supportive measures.Originality/valueThis paper summarizes the significance of agricultural and rural modernization, highlights the issues regarding such modernization and suggests effective solutions.