The Yangtze River Economic Belt is the largest rice-producing area in China. Rice production not only maintains ‘absolute food security’ in China, but is also the foundation for maintaining the ecological balance of the river basin and promoting the harmonious development of human and nature. It is suggested that the government should regard the promotion of the green development in rice production and high-level construction of ‘green granaries’ as a major project to implement the development strategy of the Yangtze River Economic Zone and the national food security strategy, and thereby build the world’s largest green rice field ecosystem, and consolidate and improve the strategic position of ‘national granary’ in the Yangtze River Economic Zone.