Soybeans are harvested in Heilongjiang province. [Photo/Xinhua] Li says healthy production supports stable economic, social development China will further promote stable grain production and step up its
ability to ensure food security, participants in the State Council's
Executive Meeting, chaired by Premier Li Keqiang, decided on Thursday. Thanks to a succession of bumper harvests in recent years, the
country has had an ample supply of major agricultural products and
ensured basic self-sufficiency in cereal grains as well as absolute
grain security, officials said. There is a solid foundation for another good harvest this year. The
area planted in winter wheat increased for the first time in nearly four
years, and the crop is in better shape than it had been in previous
years, officials said. Summer crops are expected to have another bumper harvest. Spring
plowing and sowing has progressed smoothly, and the area planted in
early-season rice remains stable. The intended farmland devoted to
grains for the year will expand, with area in corn increasing from the
previous year. "Stable grain production and greater ability to ensure food security
have provided a solid underpinning for promoting stable economic and
social development and responding to the impact of COVID-19. Annual
grain output should remain at no less than 650 billion kilograms this
year," Li said. Policies including minimum purchase prices for rice and wheat and
subsidies for corn and soybean producers will remain and be refined.
Central budgetary investment and proceeds from the transfer of land-use
rights at the provincial level will be tilted toward major
grain-producing counties. Grain procurement, reserves and market regulation will be enhanced to
ensure supply and keep prices stable. Grain storage and logistics
facilities will be improved, and the scale and mix of grain reserves
further refined. "For a country as big as China, appropriate grain reserves are
indispensable. The central government should assume responsibility in
this regard, and subnational authorities should also play their due
part," Li said. The plan for a new round of high-standard farmland development will
be implemented, and 100 million mu, equivalent to 6.67 million hectares,
of high-standard farmland with high resilience during droughts and
floods and high yield stability will be cultivated this year, officials
said. The underpinning role of science and technology in agricultural
production will be reinforced. A sound commercial breeding system will
be established, and seed industry enterprises will be nurtured and
expanded. The research, development and extensive application of
practical and efficient farming machinery and equipment will be
supported. "As urbanization picks up speed, it is imperative to increase our
grain supply capacity. We must leverage market-oriented mechanisms,
broaden supply channels and boost grain supply microcirculation to
ensure sufficient provision of diverse varieties and maintain the stable
operation of the grain market," Li said.
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