March 21, 2011

China has set a target of about 54% for farming mechanisation in 2011, up two percentage points over last year, the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) said Thursday (Mar 17).

The mechanisation rate for paddy production is expected to go up three percentage points to reach 23% this year, while that for corn will come to more than 30%, up five points, the ministry noted.

The development of farming mechanisation will play an important role in enhancing domestic agricultural production capacity and ensuring grain safety.

Statistics from the MoA show that China's newly added combine harvesters and rice transplanters in 2010 are estimated at 68,000 units and 70,000 units to make the total at 845,000 units and 330,000 units, up 92% and 320%, respectively, over the end of 2005.

China will step up promotion of mechanisation for grain production during the 2011-15 period and set the target of mechanisation rate at around 60%, according to the country's 12th Five-year Plan.