China eyes 53m-hectare high-standard farmland by 2020

BEIJING - China aims to cultivate 800 million mu (53.33 million hectares) of high-standard farmland by 2020, said an economic planning official on Tuesday.

China will invest 1,000 yuan ($164.1) to 2,000 yuan per mu to increase yields by an average of 100 kg per mu, said the official with the National Development and Reform Commission, citing a recently-approved national plan.

China's State Council has approved a national plan for high-standard farmland construction, setting a goal of cultivating 400 million mu in high-standard farmland by 2015 and a total of 800 million mu by 2020.

The soil of the farms will be richer in organic content and less contaminated, according to the plan.

The move will lay a foundation for guaranteeing agricultural product supply in China, said the official.