February 23, 2006

China's Shandong posts double-digit growth in grain output

China's Shandong province, a major agricultural region in the country, announced it third consecutive year of grain output Wednesday, thanks largely to government measures and favorable climate. 

According to the provincial statistical bureau, Shandong grain output was 39.17 million tonnes last year, an on-year growth of 11.4 percent, the highest since 1985.

Cultivated land for grain stood at 6.7 million hectares last year, up 6.3 percent on-year.

Government measures included tax waivers, direct subsidies and promotion of new cereal strains.