August 25, 2008

China's acreage for autumn grain crops is expected to exceed 733 million hectares, up more than 33 million hectares on-year, according to Minister of Agriculture Sun Zhengcai.

Autumn grain represents about 70 percent of China's annual grain output. Autumn grain production is currently doing well, as marked by fine growth of rice, corn and soy crops in main producing areas.

However, the crops still face challenges from floods, droughts, cold spells, pests and diseases.

China had managed to attain grain output increases for four consecutive years by 2007, followed by a bumper summer grain output this year.