China's grain production draws worldwide attention
China's grain production draws worldwide attention
16:13, November 02, 2009 
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Grain production in China is expected to reach a historical new high, registering a consecutive six-year increase over the past 40 years for the first time, Sun Zhengcai, Minister of Agriculture made the remark in Beijing recently.
China's grain production has witnessed a substantial increase from 2004. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, grain production in 2004 totaled 469.5 million tons, an increase of nine percent year on year; and from 2005 to 2008, it reached 484.02 tons, 497.5 tons, 501.5 tons and 528.5 tons respectively. The Agricultural Policy Report 2009 noted summer grain corps totaled 246,700 tons, a year-on-year increase of 2.2 percent, realizing a six-year consecutive increase.
"China is not only a grain donor, but a global laboratory for grain issue research," Sheila Sisulu, Deputy Executive Director of World Food Program (WFP) made the remark on the occasion as WFP and China celebrated the 30th anniversary of friendly cooperation recently. "One mission that I came to China is to study how China solved the food problem for 1.3 billion people in such a short period of time. It is a miracle for economic development."
The report filed by ActionAid, a non-governmental organization to combat global poverty, praised the endeavor China has made over its anti-starvation campaign, helping millions out of poverty over the past decade. Meanwhile, the report also pointed out that the strategy China adopted was based on the solid support the Chinese government had given to farmers.
A former benefit country becomes a global grain donor
China has abolished agricultural tax, the country's most ancient tax category, and implemented a series of effective agriculture-oriented policies since 2004. Farmers' enthusiasm was aroused as subsidies for the purchase of agricultural machinery and tools increased from 700 million yuan to 13 billion yuan in 2009.
Sci-tech also played a crucial role in agricultural development. Agro scientists have cultivated some 1,500 new strains and combined breeds so far, bringing yield per mu from 135 kg in 1978 to 330 kg in 2008.
Per-capita share of grain in China reached 404 kg by the end of 2008, and now, China is the world's largest grain producer. "From 2006 China no longer accepts WFP's free grain aid, and has gradually become a key global grain donor," noted Sun.
A global laboratory for grain issue research
China faces the disadvantages of large population, less farming land, poor deposit in national resources, and three aspects must be addressed to raise grain yield, namely, policy, sci-tech as well as investment," said Gao Wangsheng, a professor with China Agricultural University.
Technically, China has taken measures in four aspects to develop agriculture, namely, develop high-yield strains like hybrid rice, high-yield corn and wheat; adopt intensive and meticulous farming; prevent and control corps diseases and eliminate the pests; develop new technology to reduce grain production loss.
Gao added that all these techniques had got international approval, especially in those countries which shared the similar national conditions with China. The technology, such as hybrid rice has provides one billion people with enough grain, and additionally, China's dryland agricultural techniques are also widely used in Africa.
By People's Daily Online
China's grain production has witnessed a substantial increase from 2004. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, grain production in 2004 totaled 469.5 million tons, an increase of nine percent year on year; and from 2005 to 2008, it reached 484.02 tons, 497.5 tons, 501.5 tons and 528.5 tons respectively. The Agricultural Policy Report 2009 noted summer grain corps totaled 246,700 tons, a year-on-year increase of 2.2 percent, realizing a six-year consecutive increase.
"China is not only a grain donor, but a global laboratory for grain issue research," Sheila Sisulu, Deputy Executive Director of World Food Program (WFP) made the remark on the occasion as WFP and China celebrated the 30th anniversary of friendly cooperation recently. "One mission that I came to China is to study how China solved the food problem for 1.3 billion people in such a short period of time. It is a miracle for economic development."
The report filed by ActionAid, a non-governmental organization to combat global poverty, praised the endeavor China has made over its anti-starvation campaign, helping millions out of poverty over the past decade. Meanwhile, the report also pointed out that the strategy China adopted was based on the solid support the Chinese government had given to farmers.
A former benefit country becomes a global grain donor
China has abolished agricultural tax, the country's most ancient tax category, and implemented a series of effective agriculture-oriented policies since 2004. Farmers' enthusiasm was aroused as subsidies for the purchase of agricultural machinery and tools increased from 700 million yuan to 13 billion yuan in 2009.
Sci-tech also played a crucial role in agricultural development. Agro scientists have cultivated some 1,500 new strains and combined breeds so far, bringing yield per mu from 135 kg in 1978 to 330 kg in 2008.
Per-capita share of grain in China reached 404 kg by the end of 2008, and now, China is the world's largest grain producer. "From 2006 China no longer accepts WFP's free grain aid, and has gradually become a key global grain donor," noted Sun.
A global laboratory for grain issue research
China faces the disadvantages of large population, less farming land, poor deposit in national resources, and three aspects must be addressed to raise grain yield, namely, policy, sci-tech as well as investment," said Gao Wangsheng, a professor with China Agricultural University.
Technically, China has taken measures in four aspects to develop agriculture, namely, develop high-yield strains like hybrid rice, high-yield corn and wheat; adopt intensive and meticulous farming; prevent and control corps diseases and eliminate the pests; develop new technology to reduce grain production loss.
Gao added that all these techniques had got international approval, especially in those countries which shared the similar national conditions with China. The technology, such as hybrid rice has provides one billion people with enough grain, and additionally, China's dryland agricultural techniques are also widely used in Africa.
By People's Daily Online
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