March 17, 2011

China's grain and cotton acreage is expected to rise this year, while planting area for oilseeds and sugar crops is predicted to see a small drop, according to the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).

Driven by the government's supportive policies and high market prices, planting area for grain crops will continue to grow moderately this year after a rise for seven years running, and is likely to gain 0.3% over last year.

The cotton acreage may reverse sliding trend for three straight years and is forecasted to climb 5.4% this year, the ministry said.

However, MoA predicted acreage of oilseeds and sugar crops are estimated to edge down 0.6%and 0.3% respectively, according to ministry's survey results on farmers' planting intention.

Currently, spring planting has been progressing from the south to the north of China. The MoA has called on local authorities to implement agricultural policies and boost farmers' planting enthusiasm to maintain grain planting areas at more than 107 million hectares.