December 24, 2024

 

China to push pace of agricultural modernisation to strengthen grain production

 

 

China will accelerate the pace of agricultural and rural modernisation and stabilise grain planting area in its quest to ensure stable and high production of grains, state media reported on December 18, citing an annual rural policy meeting.

 

The world's biggest grains producer announced record grains production of 706.5 million metric tons this year, including 294.92 million tons of corn.

 

However, Beijing remains reliant on imports, making it determined to raise output and become an "agriculture power", particularly as rising tensions with trade partners the United States, Canada, and the European Union threaten to disrupt food trade.

 

At an annual meeting that sets rural policy priorities for the year ahead, policymakers highlighted a need to improve farmers' incomes and strengthen the use of agriculture science, technology, and equipment.

 

"We must resolutely shoulder the important task of ensuring national food security... stabilise the grain planting area, deepen the action of increasing the yield of grain and oil crops on a large scale," the official Xinhua news agency reported.

 

Policymakers said China will also improve the policy system for supporting grain production and improve the protection and quality of cultivated land.

 

In a separate meeting, China's agriculture ministry pledged to take measures to "consolidate the results" of soybean and oilseed expansion, according to a ministry statement.

 

China has boosted its domestic soybean, corn, and wheat production significantly in recent years by increasing planting acreage and raising yields through the use of high-yielding crop varieties.

 

However, higher supply amid weaker consumption due to an economic slowdown have led to lower prices.

 

- Reuters