Wheat is transported to the warehouse by conveyor belt at Dagang branch of Central Grain Reserve Tianjin Dongli Direct Warehouse Co., Ltd. in north China's Tianjin, Oct. 12, 2022. Affiliated to China Grain Reserves Group (Sinograin), Central Grain Reserve Tianjin Dongli Direct Warehouse Co., Ltd. mainly stores wheat and corn with a total storage capacity of about 500,000 tons, which is the largest central grain reserve depot in Tianjin. Photo:Xinhua

China has been improving its ability to ensure food security, with sufficient supply and stable market operation amid global volatilities, an official said on Monday on the sidelines of the ongoing 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (NCCPC).

"China has guaranteed its food supply remains firmly in its own hands," Cong Liang, head of the State Grain and Reserves Administration, told a press conference in Beijing.

China's grain output has remained above 1.3 trillion jin (650 million tons) for seven consecutive years since 2015, and hit a new record high of 1.3657 trillion jin in 2021, Cong said.

China's per-capita grain output reached 483.5 kilogram, which means that even without taking into account the replenishment through imports, the nation's per-capita grain output alone has exceeded the internationally recognized security line of 400 kilograms, Cong noted.

The total arable land area in China stands at 1.918 billion mu (127.87 million hectares), with 1.058 billion mu of cultivated farmland for grain production, the official said.

Though the international grain market has witnessed significant fluctuations in recent years, China's food supply has remained sufficient and market operation has remained stable. It has played an important role in the country's sustained and healthy economic development, as well contributing to social harmony, the official added. 

To advance rural revitalization across the board, China has vowed to continue to put agricultural and rural development high on the government's agenda, consolidate its achievements in poverty alleviation, and incessantly reinforce foundations for food security.

Global Times