China's grain output to remain over 650 b kg in 2019

BEIJING -- China's grain output is expected to remain above 650 billion kg for a fifth straight year in 2019, a senior official said Friday.

China has achieved a bumper grain harvest for 15 consecutive years, with per capita grain possession exceeding 470 kg, Han Changfu, minister of agriculture and rural affairs, said at a press conference.

Han stressed policy support to ensure grain safety, and called for efforts to consolidate basic rural operation system, foster new business entities and implement more favorable subsidy and reward measures.

While vowing to cultivate 1 billion mu (about 67 million hectares) of high-standard farmland by 2022, the country should keep enhancing agricultural technology to boost grain output, Han said.

"More efforts should be made to further improve the country's grain productivity and optimize the grain structure," Han added.