China to make unremitting efforts to ensure grain security: report

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-19 20:13

BEIJING - China must make unremitting efforts to guarantee the country's grain security at all times, a policy paper published by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee said on Sunday.

The Decision on Major Issues Concerning the Advancement of Rural Reform and Development was approved by the CPC Central Committee on October 12 at a plenary session.

According to the full text of the document, authorities should accelerate the construction of an effective grain security system with steady supplies and ample reserve.

It said efforts must be made to protect the country's farmland, and raise the per unit grain yield to improve grain production, which was the top priority of the agricultural modernization.

It urged local authorities to set up respective goals in grain production and reserve development, and in intensify supporting policies for agricultural production.

Favorable policies concerning agricultural production, including larger financial grants and other kinds of support toward agricultural projects, will be made in major grain producing regions to increase farmers income and mobilize their enthusiasm toward grain production.

In regions that barely make ends meet between grain production and consumption or those which still depend on grain imports from other parts of the country, authorities must make sure the farmland doesn't decrease in future and their self-provision rates of grain doesn't drop further.

An open market with fluent grain circulation must be maintained, and the grain risk fund policies perfected, the paper said.

It also said authorities must raise public awareness in grain saving, and strengthen international cooperation in grain production to help improve the world food security.

China's grain output is expected to reach 510 million tons this year, a net increase of more than 10 million tons over 2007, an official with the State Administration of Grain named Yang Weilu told Xinhua last month.

According to a long-term plan approved in July by the State Council, China's Cabinet, the country would be 95 percent self-sufficient in grain over the next 12 years.

The plan also aims to ensure grain output stays above 500 billion kg until 2010, and reaches 540 billion kg by 2020.