'Green' food from the black soil of Jiamusi

Jiamusi has bountiful harvests due to beneficial weather, soil and government support. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Long an agricultural base in the central region of the Sanjiang Plains, Jiamusi is now focusing on growing green and organic foods.

In 2006, the city was recognized by the provincial government of Heilongjiang as a pilot zone in growing and processing pollution-free farm produce. It was listed as one of the top 10 Chinese cities for food safety last June by the China Institute of City Competitiveness.

It now has 15 national green farms covering a total 520,000 hectares, including a rice producing area of some 30,000 hectares approved in 2013 and another three in 2012 with combined area of 113,000 hectares..

The local government also makes strong efforts to keep high quality in the products. According to the provincial food safety supervision authority, the quality rate for vegetables, mushrooms, aquatic products and fruits in Jiamusi was higher than the average of the province last year.

For many years the city's green food processors have organized to take part in international agricultural exhibitions.

At last year's Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair, a local grain administration signed contracts to provide a total of 11,000 tons of green farm produce to companies in Shandong, Liaoning and Fujian provinces.

A local company signed a rice contract that is worth 50 million yuan ($8 million) with a counterpart in Chongqing.