March 8, 2011

China's grain capacity to top 540 million tonnes by 2015

China will raise grain production capacity to more than 540 million tonnes during 2011-15 period in bids to strengthen grain security, said a draft of the country's 12th Five-year Plan submitted Saturday (Mar 5) to national lawmakers for reviewing.

To achieve the target of grain output increase by 50 million tonnes in the next five years, China will strictly protect arable land, keep the total crop acreage stable, and work hard to increase per unit yield in the following five years, the document said.

Meanwhile, China's grain reserve has reached 40% of annual consumption, much higher than the world standard of 17-18%, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.

China's wheat reserve stands at 100 billion kg, about the output of one year, it said.