[Objective] The achievements after the implementation of grain for green (GFG) project on the Loess Plateau for 20 years were summarized to provid references for ecological protection and high quality development in the Yellow River basin in new era.[Methods] Based on years of research results

combined with recent surveys and some documents

some new issues during GFG project implement were analyzed.[Results] The issues which should be considered at present include:how to accelerate the grassland construction; whether to carry on strict rotational grazing; how to deal with the ecological and economic forest proportion; how to continually improve the grain yield per unit area.[Conclusion] It is necessary in the new era

to lay emphasis on the study and analysis of the emerging issues during ecological construction

and seek practical solutions

so as to promote ecological civilization construction and rural revitalization in the Loess Plateau region.