March 7, 2012

China to achieve medium-, long-term grain output growth

China will be able to accomplish gradual medium- and long-term grain production growths, as harvests are anticipated to climb along with better technologies, a senior agricultural official said Tuesday (Mar 6).

Nevertheless, an output decline in 2012 can't be ruled out after China's grain production increased for an eighth consecutive year in 2011, Chen Xiwen, general director of the Office of the Central Rural Work Leading Group, told a press conference.

Chen also said China's government is encouraging the research and development of genetically modified organisms, but will be very prudent in the application of GMO technologies in key grains, which include rice and wheat.