Under the new normal, grain production capacity needs to be continuously strengthened

Under the new normal, the most urgent task in advancing modern agriculture is to "transform the mode of development and adjust the structure." At such a time, should grain production still be pursued so tightly? The answer is yes. The recently released 2015 No. 1 Central Document emphasizes continuously strengthening grain production capacity.

Experts say that transforming the mode of agricultural development by no means implies relaxing grain production, and must never weaken the comprehensive agricultural production capacity. The key at present is to stabilize output and raise production capacity.

Han Yijun, a professor at the College of Economics and Management of China Agricultural University, said that in the future, attention must be paid to improving the comprehensive grain production capacity. Grain cannot always increase in output, but if the comprehensive grain production capacity remains at a high level, even if there is a reduction in output, or even consecutive reductions, it is not frightening.

"The issue of food security must never be relaxed at any time, otherwise grain production is prone to major slides," said Yan Bo, director of the Policy and Law Department of the National Food Administration. China's agricultural resource endowment is inherently insufficient, with cultivated land, fresh water and other resources all relatively scarce. After China's grain has achieved consecutive years of bumper harvests, grain output increase faces even greater challenges.

Han Changfu, Minister of Agriculture, said that raising grain production capacity is fundamental. With production capacity, there is confidence in ensuring national food security.

How can grain production capacity be strengthened? The No. 1 Central Document proposes further improving and implementing the system of provincial governors taking responsibility for grain. Policy tilts toward major grain-producing provinces and counties should be strengthened, ensuring that major grain-producing counties that prioritize agriculture and grain production gain tangible benefits and have development prospects. Major grain-consuming areas must truly shoulder their own responsibility for grain production.

Recently, the State Council issued the "Several Opinions on Establishing and Improving the System of Provincial Governors Taking Responsibility for Food Security," which makes clear that the people's governments of all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities must truly shoulder the primary responsibility for ensuring food security in their regions. It is necessary to consolidate and improve grain production capacity, resolutely hold the red line of cultivated land, accelerate the construction of high-standard farmland, improve the scientific and technological level of grain production, establish a new type of grain production and operation system, and enhance the sustainable grain production capacity.

"At present, we must pay more attention to improving grain production capacity and tap new potential in grain production," Han Changfu said. He stated that it is necessary to adhere to "one stability and two guarantees," namely, overall stability of grain sown area, especially cereal sown area; and to increase policy support and investment, and protect and mobilize both the enthusiasm of farmers for farming and grain production and the enthusiasm of major producing areas for prioritizing agriculture and grain production.

The No. 1 Central Document also makes clear that the work of delimiting permanent basic farmland shall be carried out comprehensively. The national overall plan for high-standard farmland construction shall be implemented in a coordinated manner. Actions for the protection and improvement of cultivated land quality shall be implemented. The reuse of stripped topsoil from cultivated land occupied for construction shall be comprehensively advanced. Exploration shall be made to establish grain production functional zones, linking grain ration production capacity to specific fields and plots, and ensuring safeguard measures are implemented in specific projects.

The Ministry of Agriculture stated that one of this year's key tasks is to do a good job in tackling key problems in green yield-increasing models and steadily develop grain production. Focusing on major producing areas, major grain-producing counties, and grain production functional zones, high-yield creation shall continue to be carried out, and standardized high-yield, high-efficiency, green and environmentally friendly technical models shall be promoted. Grain production services shall be developed, with key support for large grain-growing households, family farms, and other main bodies of large-scale grain operation.