The Chinese government on Wednesday vowed to take all necessary measures to ensure a bumper grain harvest for the eighth consecutive year.
China aims to keep its 2011 grain production over 1 trillion jin (500 million tonnes) while maintaining the grain planting acreage at last year's level, after the country has seen seven straight years of bumper harvests, said a State Council circular.
Efforts should be made to boost grain production and ensure food supply, so as to rein in inflation, maintain economic development and social stability, said the circular published on the official website of the Chinese government.
"China is facing increasing inflationary pressures this year, and so more grain output is required," Han Changfu, minister of agriculture, told Xinhua.
The severe winter-spring drought in China's major wheat belt, less enthusiasm for wheat cultivation and rising production costs have complicated the grain production situation this year, said the statement.
To achieve good harvests this year, the Chinese government is promoting advanced farming techniques and efficient irrigation methods, it said.
Meanwhile, China will further develop high-yield grain crops, provide technical support to farmers, guarantee sufficient supplies of agricultural production materials, enhance market supervision, and strengthen efforts in disaster prevention and reduction, it said.
To encourage grain production, the government will offer additional funds to major grain-producing counties, provide subsidies for small irrigation and water conservancy projects, promote production technologies and increase subsidies for grain producers.
China's grain output rose 2.9 percent last year to 546.41 million tonnes, marking the seventh consecutive year of growth.
