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Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, September 23, by cable Title: The hard harvest is difficult to consolidate the foundation of a great country-Interview with Han Changfu, Director of the Central Bureau of Agriculture and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Xinhua News Agency reporters Yu Wenjing and Dai Xiaohe
According to the latest news from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, following the bumper summer cereal and early rice harvest, a bumper autumn cereal harvest is also expected. Annual cereal production is expected to increase and stabilize at 1.3 trillion cereals for six consecutive years.
This year, China’s cereal production has been severely affected by the new corona pneumonia epidemic, floods in the south, summer droughts and typhoons in the northeast, and armyworms. How did this hard-earned harvest come to fruition? A few days ago, Han Changfu, director of the Central Bureau of Agriculture and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, gave a comprehensive introduction to the relevant situation in an interview with reporters from the Xinhua News Agency.
Another harvest year
“Fall cereals account for the majority of the year-round cereal production. Fall cereals are about to enter the harvest season. Currently, the fall cereal harvest is expected, and this year is another excellent year! “Han Changfu said enthusiastically.
How to judge a bountiful harvest when the autumn grain has not yet arrived? Han Changfu said, mainly based on two points:
One is the increase in area. This year’s fall grain area is expected to exceed 1.28 billion mu, an increase of 8 million mu from the previous year. In particular, the high-yield corn crop in Northeast China has increased significantly, laying the groundwork for a bumper crop.
Second, overall growth is relatively good. The four northeastern provinces account for more than a third of the country’s fall crops. In this area it rains a lot during spring planting, and the combination of light, temperature and water in the initial stage is good, and the condition of the seedlings is good. In summer some parts of the west suffered from drought but the impact was limited. In late August and early September, three typhoons were encountered in the middle of the northeast, causing local corn to crash. Since corn yield is now 80-90%, the impact of housing on yield is limited.
Look at other regions. The Yangtze River basin was flooded during the flood season and mid-season rice and late rice were damaged, but the increased area made up for the loss. After the flood, the weather in most of the south was good, which was conducive to growth and maturity of crops; The climate in the production area is also more favorable and the growth of the autumn grain is normal.
An excellent harvest in a special year is of extraordinary importance
Han Changfu said that this year is the closing year of the Thirteenth Five Year Plan and the year of decisive victory in the fight against poverty. We will build a well-off society in all respects and reach the centennial goal. This year is also a year of special difficulties: the new corona pneumonia epidemic has hit the world, the downward pressure on the national economy has increased, and the external environment has undergone complex changes.
Special years, special backgrounds and special challenges intertwine. What is the special meaning of getting a good grain harvest? Han Changfu summarized three points: provide strong support for overall economic and social stability, strive for strategic initiative in response to complex international situations, and lay a solid foundation for poverty alleviation and comprehensive well-being.
“This important review of the epidemic has once again demonstrated the special importance of safeguarding national food security and maintaining jobs.” Han Changfu said that the new corona pneumonia epidemic is still spreading globally, and the supply chain of the global food trade chain has been affected. At the same time, natural disasters and global pests have occurred more frequently, and some countries have restricted food exports and expanded imports. Given this situation, it is urgent to respond to the uncertainty of the international market with the stability of national food production.
Han Changfu also stated that “two without worry and three guarantees” are the basic indicators for poverty alleviation of the poor, of which “without worry about food” is the main indicator. Agricultural production is also an important source of income for many farmers. Since the beginning of this year, prices of agricultural products have remained generally stable, and the cereal harvest and agriculture have consolidated the results of poverty alleviation and improved the general welfare situation.
Several forces work in the same direction
What is the secret of a good harvest?
Han Changfu said that the Party Central Committee and the State Council attach great importance to this year’s grain production. The state increased the minimum purchase price for early rice and late medium indica rice, coordinated and integrated more than 4 billion yuan to support the resumption of double-season rice production in major early rice production areas , maintained the stable scale of subsidies for corn and soybean producers and effectively mobilized local agriculture and farmers. Enthusiasm for agriculture and the cultivation of cereals.
At the critical moment of spring plow production, the “Current Spring Plow Production Work Guide” was published on behalf of the Central Leading Group for Response to the New Coronary Pneumonia Epidemic. With the approval of the State Council, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs took this year’s grain area as a binding index and production as a guide index for provincial governments (regional and municipal) to harden and compact responsibilities, which did not it was seen in many years. During the key agricultural period, the deployment of the “four barriers” and the “three lines of defense” for desert locusts were deployed on a region by region basis to minimize damage.
When the spring plowing and preparation are busy, the great masses of farmers answer the call and go to the fields in time to ensure that both epidemic prevention and control and spring plowing are not lost. When floods happen, farmers rush to harvest rice early, rush to plant late rice, and quickly change plantations. After the typhoon hit, farmers overhauled their harvesting machinery and rushed to harvest the fallen crops on time.
Food safety is guaranteed
Han Changfu said that China’s grain has achieved “16 consecutive harvests”, and the two main stocks of rice and wheat rations can meet the consumption needs of residents across the country for one year. The food production situation this year is good, the market supply is sufficient, prices are generally stable and food security is guaranteed.
So how do you see the issue of food imports? Han Changfu said that in recent years, China’s annual grain imports are about 100 million tons, of which grains are less than 20%, accounting for only about 2% of domestic production, mainly due to to surplus and shortage of adjusted varieties. Cereal imports have increased this year, but not by much, and some corn has increased appropriately.
Most of the imports are soybeans. China imports 89 million tons per year, which represents more than 80% of imports, mainly for the consumption of feed and edible oil. In recent years, national soybean production has developed steadily, but production growth is well below the growth rate of consumption. Imports are needed to compensate for the internal gap. This pattern will last long into the next stage, and it will also use two markets and two resources.
“We will do our best to get a good autumn crop harvest in accordance with the central government’s requirements to ensure a good harvest of food and agriculture in a prosperous year!” Han Changfu said firmly.
