April 13, 2011

 

 

China's agricultural experts say domestic production of grain must continue to be raised to ensure the country is never at the mercy of grain imports.

 

"A shortage of grain will undermine the foundation of our national economy, so we should never rely on grain imports for grain security of over 1.3 billion people," said Zhu Xinkai, an associate professor at Renmin University of China.

 

China has increased its grain production over the last seven years to keep up with domestic demand.

 

Agricultural ministry data shows the country is now 100% self-sufficient in production of the three staple grains - rice, wheat and corn.

 

However, domestic production of some other agricultural products, including soy and mung bean, fall short of meeting demand.

 

China's grain production is still very vulnerable to bad weather, due to the inability of the country's agricultural infrastructure to provide adequate resistance against droughts and other meteorological disasters, said Nie Zhenbang, head of the State Administration of Grain (SAG).

 

The country loses around 50 million tonnes of grain each year due to meteorological disasters, and such risks are on the rise due to global climate change.

 

China plans to reach a grain production capacity of more than 540 million tonnes in the next five years, 8% more than the annual target of the 2006-2010 period, according to its 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) for National Economic and Social Development.

 

Chen Xiwen, director of the Office of Central Rural Work Leading Group, said that ensuring sufficient supply of agricultural products and stabilising grain prices are the foundation of steady economic growth.

 

"We must stay sober-minded that the acreage of China's arable land has always been on the short side, so we must strive to keep total grain-growing acreage stable, strictly protect arable land and accelerate the rehabilitation of damaged land in rural areas," Zhu said.

 

Chen Xiwen suggested that the government should step up construction of irrigation infrastructure and intensify water-saving efforts in order to expand the acreage of effective irrigation.

 

By the end of last year, only 49% of the country's arable land received effective irrigation.

 

Meanwhile, improving agricultural science and technology is becoming an increasingly important factor to maintain grain security, said Lin Erda, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

 

As China's arable land is limited, the country should rely on science and technology, including improving grain varieties, upgrading low-yield and medium-yield land and popularising advanced cultivation techniques, Lin said.

 

China should also give full play to farmers' initiatives to grow grain and improve the capability of grain logistics, reserve and emergency supply, Lin added.

 

According to China's 12th Five-Year Plan, the country should accelerate the development of modern agriculture with the primary goal of ensuring grain security.