October 25, 2004

China Heilongjiang Posts Record Grain Output In 2004

Northeastern China's Heilongjiang province has harvested a record 31.35 million metric tons of grains in 2004, up 25% on year, with per hectare output hitting a record 3.82 tons, state media reported last week.

Local agricultural officials said higher grains prices, good weather, government subsidies and increased planting efforts from farmers all contributed to the bumper crops, reported Xinhua news agency.

Acreage of grains in the province rose by 353,333 hectares or 4.5% on year to 8.22 million hectares this year, with acreage of high-yielding grain crops totaling 3.88 million hectares, up 488,000 hectares or 14.3% on year, said the report.

The grain output statistics include beans and tubers, but the report did not provide a breakdown of these varieties.

The previous record for grain output, at 31.05 million tons, was hit in 1997, the report said.