China targets grain security, green production

China’s agricultural sector reforms will include promoting “green” production and safeguarding its grain supply, according to the country’s 2017 rural policy plan, state news agency Xinhua reported on Sunday. 
China is trying to modernize its sprawling farm sector and boost its productivity. Citing excerpts from the “number one document,” the first policy statement of the year released by the central government, Xinhua said China must promote “green” production, boost innovation and consolidate rural development.
“Supply-side structural reform in the agricultural sector would be a long and challenging process, demanding the relationship between government and market be well handled and in the interests of all stakeholders,” Xinhua said, without elaborating.
“When carrying forward supply-side structural reform for the sector, national grain security must be guaranteed,” it said.
Beijing abandoned its corn-stockpiling program last year, leaving farmers to rely on market demand for the first time in almost a decade.
China has built up huge state stockpiles of corn after years of buying from farmers to support their income. 
After abandoning the policy, it began to sell off its old stock but still has more than 200 million tons in warehouses, according to some estimates, but much of it is of poor quality.
This is the 14th year in a row that China’s “number one document” has focused on rural issues, Xinhua said.

Source: Arab News