Read in Chinese
Speakers:
Mr. Cong Liang, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and administrator of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration (NFSRA)
Mr. Lu Jingbo, vice administrator of the NFSRA
Mr. Huang Wei, vice administrator of the NFSRA
Chairperson:
Ms. Shou Xiaoli, deputy director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO
Date:
May 11, 2023
Shou Xiaoli:
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO). This is the 15th briefing in the series "Embarking on the New Journey — A Government Perspective." Today, we have invited Mr. Cong Liang, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and administrator of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration (NFSRA), to brief you about safeguarding food security and ensuring food supply for the Chinese people, and to take your questions. Also joining us today are vice administrators of the NFSRA, Mr. Lu Jingbo, and Mr. Huang Wei.
Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Cong for a brief introduction.
Cong Liang:
Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, good morning! I'm delighted to meet you here. First and foremost, on behalf of the NFSRA, I would like to thank all our friends in the media for your continued interest, attention and support for our work in food and strategic reserves. Today, we will introduce our efforts in studying and implementing the guiding principles outlined in the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), as well as our strategies for safeguarding food security and ensuring a steady food supply for the Chinese people.
Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has made feeding over 1 billion people a top priority in governing the country. It has introduced a new concept, guaranteeing basic self-sufficiency in cereal grains and absolute grain security. A national food security strategy has been established that focuses on domestic production and ensures production capacity, moderate imports, and scientific and technological support. Relevant departments nationwide have been diligently implementing policies and measures geared towards agriculture and grain, thereby bolstering national food security. First, grain production has achieved stable development. China has consistently kept its farmland area above the red line of 1.8 billion mu (about 120 million hectares) and cultivated 1 billion mu (about 66.7 million hectares) of high-standard farmland. It has secured a bumper harvest for the 19th year in a row, and its grain output has remained above 1.3 trillion jin (650 million tons) for eight consecutive years. The country's staple food self-sufficiency rate is above 100%, and the cereal self-sufficiency rate stands above 95%. The country's per capita share of grain stands at about 480 kilograms, higher than the internationally recognized security line of 400 kilograms. Basic self-sufficiency in grain and absolute security in staple foods has been achieved. Second, the operation of the grain market has remained smooth. Despite global fluctuations in the grain market due to factors such as the pandemic, economic downturn, extreme weather, and geopolitical conflicts, China's grain prices have remained generally stable within a reasonable range. The grain market has not experienced shortages, ensuring sufficient supply to meet the people's consumption needs. This plays a crucial role in promoting sustained and healthy economic development, as well as maintaining social harmony and stability. Third, grain circulation has proven to be efficient and seamless. Efforts have been made to modernize grain storage and logistics. Our national standard grain warehouses now possess a storage capacity of nearly 700 million tons, with storage conditions that meet the world's advanced level. The grain logistics network has become more comprehensive. The grain reserve system has been further improved with sufficient and high-quality government grain reserves. This plays a vital role in meeting basic needs, stabilizing expectations, and ensuring safety. The emergency supply system is notably comprehensive, and fully equipped to respond to major natural disasters and public emergencies.
Food security is of paramount importance in China. The 20th CPC National Congress emphasized the need to better safeguard China's new development pattern with the new security framework. It laid out key plans for food security, including reinforcing the foundations for food security on all fronts, ensuring that both Party committees and governments assume responsibility for ensuring food security and that China's total area of farmland does not fall below the redline of 120 million hectares. It also focused on refining the mechanisms to safeguard the incomes of grain growers and compensating major grain-producing areas, and ensuring that China's food supply remains firmly in its own hands. The year 2023 is the first year to fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress. We will coordinate development with security, fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy, foster a new development pattern, and promote high-quality development. We will pursue a holistic approach to national security and implement the country's food security and rural revitalization strategies. We are committed to following the path of food security with Chinese characteristics and building a higher-level, higher-quality, more efficient, and sustainable national food security system to ensure food supply for the Chinese people. First, we will firmly shoulder the crucial task of ensuring food security. Collaborating with relevant departments, we will organize and implement assessments for cultivated land protection and the food security responsibility system. We will fully ensure that Party committees and the government assume responsibility for ensuring food security. Additionally, we will conduct thorough evaluations of central grain reserve management and the implementation of central grain policies. We will urge grain storage enterprises to fulfill their responsibilities diligently. Second, we will enhance our capacity to regulate grain purchase and storage effectively. This entails reinforcing coordinated guarantees throughout production, purchase, storage, processing and sales. We will adhere to and improve the minimum purchase price policy, actively promote market-oriented purchases, and ensure the grain that farmers grow is marketable. Moreover, we will enhance the grain reserve system by scientifically determining reserve scales and optimizing the structure. We will improve the grain monitoring and early warning system, strengthen precise regulation, and ensure the overall stability of the grain market. Third, we will continuously improve food security governance in accordance with the law. We will accelerate the advancement of food safety legislation, endeavoring for the prompt enactment of the Law on Ensuring Food Security and the Regulations on the Safety Management of Grain Reserves. We will optimize the institutional environment to foster governance based on the rule of law. We will conduct special rectification efforts to combat corruption in grain purchases and sales. We will also enhance supervision systems and mechanisms related to the procurement and sale of grain reserves. We will innovate and strengthen law enforcement and supervision, speeding up the construction and application of regulatory digitalization, and resolutely safeguarding and managing our grain reserves. Fourth, we will undertake initiatives for food conservation. We will implement the Food Conservation Action Plan, focusing on strengthening management and control across the entire chain to minimize losses and waste. We will organize themed activities such as World Food Day and National Food Safety Publicity Week. These efforts will guide the public in developing scientific and rational eating habits, fostering a new trend of cherishing food, reducing waste, and promoting healthy consumption.
Friends from the media, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we possess the foundation, conditions, capabilities and confidence to ensure that China's food supply remains firmly in the hands of our 1.4 billion people. We will firmly grasp the food security initiative, providing a solid guarantee for the successful start of building a modern socialist China in all respects.
Now, my colleagues and I are ready to communicate further and share perspectives on the questions raised by our media friends.
Shou Xiaoli:
Thank you for the introduction, Mr. Cong Liang. Now we will proceed to the question and answer session. Before asking your question, please state the name of the news organization you represent. Please raise your hand to ask your question.
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China Media Group:
General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized the critical importance of maintaining Chinese people's food security firmly within our own hands. So, how does our country's food security look like this year? In terms of comprehensively strengthening the foundation of food security and ensuring the supply of grains and essential agricultural products, what measures will the food and reserve departments take? Thank you.
Cong Liang:
I'm glad to answer your questions. General Secretary Xi Jinping, in his report to the 20th CPC National Congress, reviewed and summarized the work of the past five years and highlighted the significant changes of the new era over the past decade. He pointed out, China "ranks first in the world in terms of grain output, and it has ensured food and energy security for its more than 1.4 billion people." During his visit to the fifth session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), where he met with members from the agricultural, social welfare, and social security sectors, he underscored: "Through strenuous efforts, China is now capable of feeding nearly one-fifth of the global population with 9% of the world's arable land and 6% of the freshwater resources. From the time when the country had an underfed population of 400 million, to today, when its 1.4 billion people are eating well with a great range of choices, we have effectively answered the question of 'who will feed China?'" This concise summary provides the most accurate assessment of China's food security situation since the 18th CPC National Congress. To provide further evidence, we can illustrate it through "three areas of greater strength."
First, we have enhanced our capacity to guarantee production. The development of functional grain production areas and protected areas for important agricultural products is progressing steadily. Currently, cultivated areas for grain production remain stable at around 1.75 billion mu (1.17 million square kilometers). Approximately 1 billion mu of high-standard farmland has been established, and there are continuous improvements in agricultural technology and mechanization. With the comprehensive implementation of the latest round of the action plan to increase grain production capacity by 100 billion jin (50 billion kilograms), the foundation of grain production will be further strengthened.
Second, our capacity to guarantee supply has increased. The scale, structure and distribution of government grain reserves have continued to be optimized, with the inventory of grain and oil reserves exceeding 15 days' worth in main urban areas of 36 large and medium-sized cities and areas more susceptible to market fluctuations. Inventories of various grain enterprises are at a relatively high level, with noticeable increases in the commodity stockpiles of some enterprises compared to previous years. Additionally, coupled with the grain stored by rural households, our overall social grain reserves have become more diverse, providing a stronger guarantee.
Third, we have a stronger capacity for regulation and emergency support. Various enterprises have an average annual grain procurement volume of around 800 billion jin, effectively safeguarding the interests of grain-producing farmers. Targeted and orderly policy-oriented grain releases have satisfactorily met the grain demand of enterprises. Gradually, well-established grain emergency response plans and operational mechanisms have been implemented across different regions. The number of grain emergency support centers and enterprises continues to grow.
Next, in accordance with the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, we will focus on ensuring a stable supply of grain and important agricultural products, maintaining overall market stability, and prioritizing the following three aspects of our work. First, we will carefully organize grain procurement. We will provide guidance to localities and relevant enterprises to ensure market-oriented and policy-based procurement, see responsibilities are fulfilled by all the stakeholders, and ensure that there are personnel, funds, warehouses, and transportation for grain collection, ensuring that every grain is safely stored. Second, we will strengthen the regulation and adjustment of grain reserves. We will closely monitor important periods and key areas, strengthen the organization and distribution of grain sources, accurately grasp the timing, scale, and effectiveness of policy-based grain releases, and effectively meet the market's consumption demands. Third, we will improve and perfect the grain market's monitoring and early warning system. We will continuously enhance the foresight, timeliness, and targeted nature of monitoring and early warning, promptly identifying and addressing potential issues, emerging trends and latent problems. Thank you.
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ThePaper.cn:
This year's "No. 1 central document" proposes to continue increasing the minimum purchase price of wheat and to reasonably set the minimum purchase price of rice. May I ask what considerations are behind this decision? Thank you.
Lu Jingbo:
This is a question of great concern to farmers nationwide. Allow me to provide a brief answer.
Over the years, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council have introduced a series of policies and measures to support grain production and safeguard the interests of grain farmers. The minimum purchase price policy is a significant institutional arrangement. Since 2004, the government has progressively implemented the minimum purchase price policy for rice and wheat in major production areas. This policy has effectively safeguarded and stimulated farmers' enthusiasm for grain production, promoting the stable development of grain production in China.
Since the 18th CPC National Congress, relevant government departments have actively promoted the reform of the grain procurement and storage system to adapt to changes in the market situation. They have adhered to and improved the policy of minimum purchase prices for wheat and rice. The overall approach is to uphold the principles of market-oriented reform while ensuring the protection of farmers' interests. This involves setting minimum purchase price levels reasonably and fully leveraging the decisive role of the market in allocating grain resources.
In recent years, various unpredictable and unforeseen factors have intertwined and accumulated on a global scale, leading to frequent and significant fluctuations in the international food market. To stabilize grain production and strengthen the foundation of food security, China's relevant departments have considered factors such as grain production costs, market supply and demand, domestic and international prices, and industry development. They have appropriately increased the minimum purchase prices for wheat and rice. Specifically, the minimum purchase price for wheat has risen for three consecutive years, and early indica rice has seen an increase for four consecutive years. Meanwhile, the minimum purchase price for mid-season and late-season indica rice previously increased for three consecutive years. This year, the minimum purchase price for wheat is set at 1.17 yuan per jin, and for early indica rice, it is 1.26 yuan per jin, both increasing by 0.02 yuan compared to the previous year. The minimum purchase prices for mid-season and late-season indica rice are 1.29 yuan per jin, and for japonica rice, it is 1.31 yuan per jin, remaining the same as in the previous year. These arrangements fully demonstrate the high importance attached by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council to ensuring grain production, which is conducive to safeguarding the interests of grain farmers, strengthening their confidence in grain production, and promoting stable production and supply of food, especially grain, as well as ensuring the stable operation of the market.
Going forward, we will conscientiously implement the policy of minimum purchase prices. We will promptly approve the initiation of government-backed purchases in eligible regions, strengthen supervision and guidance for relevant localities and enterprises, further leverage the stabilizing role of the policy, and resolutely ensure the bottom line that grain farmers don't have to worry about the sales. Thank you.
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Thecover.cn:
In recent years, China's food emergency security system has been continuously improved and has played an important role in addressing various emergencies. May I ask how we can accelerate the construction of a national food emergency security system that matches our status as a major country? Thank you.
Cong Liang:
Thank you for your question. Food security under emergency conditions directly relates to people's lives and social stability. At present, China has basically established a comprehensive emergency food security system that covers storage, transportation, processing, distribution and supply, serving as an important support to ensure national food security.
By the end of 2022, there were a total of 6,584 emergency grain processing enterprises, 4,846 emergency storage and transportation enterprises, 3,542 emergency distribution centers, and 56,495 emergency supply outlets nationwide. Our emergency processing capacity can reach 1.64 million tons per day, which can meet the needs of the entire population for two days.
The COVID-19 pandemic posed a realistic test to food security, highlighting the importance of building emergency food security capabilities. Currently, there are still weak links in China's food emergency security system, manifested by incomplete contingency plans, the imbalanced distribution of emergency supplies, and insufficient utilization of resources from existing emergency food processors and suppliers. Going forward, in accordance with the deployments made at the 20th CPC National Congress, we will strive to build a well-resourced national food emergency security system with an optimized structure, wider coverage, more efficient management, and faster transportation capabilities. We will focus on three areas of work:
First, we will improve the food emergency response system. We will push for the revision of the National Food Emergency Plan and guide local governments to improve food emergency plans at the provincial, city and county levels. We will effectively manage and utilize the resources of food emergency response enterprises and fully mobilize their participation in emergency response and supply.
Second, we will address the shortcomings in our food emergency response capacity. We will adhere to the principle of "one county, one policy" to increase the number of food supply points, optimize their distribution, and achieve comprehensive coverage of supply points to address shortcomings of food emergency response capacity at the county level. We will adopt an innovative mindset and continuously enhance emergency food security capabilities in large and medium-sized cities. We will strengthen regional cooperation in food processing capacity, develop urban food supply contingency plans, and conduct emergency drills. We will focus on addressing the weaknesses in emergency food security in special areas and accelerate the construction of a diversified food reserve system to strengthen the material foundation for emergency response and supply.
Third, we will work hard to effectively implement key tasks. We will guide localities to scientifically develop food emergency security centers at the provincial, city and county levels and accelerate the establishment of regional food emergency security centers. We will intensify efforts to optimize and integrate national and local food emergency security resources, creating a synergy for emergency food support. Thank you.
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Hong Kong Bauhinia Magazine:
To ensure national food security, we need to make simultaneous efforts to increase production and reduce losses. What outcomes have been achieved in grain conservation in every aspect and process of grain circulation? What measures will be taken in the next step to achieve tangible advancements in grain conservation? Thank you.
Huang Wei:
Thank you for your questions. You just mentioned in your question that, to ensure national food security, we need to make simultaneous efforts to increase production and reduce losses. The remark was made by General Secretary Xi Jinping. It represents the most fundamental requirement for effective grain conservation work.
General Secretary Xi Jinping has consistently emphasized the importance of grain conservation, and set forth work requirements. Recently, the Central Party Literature Press published a compilation of excerpts from discourses by Xi Jinping concerning China's food security. The book, compiled by the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, is divided into eight parts, including one section dedicated to Xi's expositions on food conservation titled "Making Food Conservation a Common Practice in the Whole Society." I would like to recommend this book to friends from the media.
In line with its work responsibilities, the NFSRA has implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping's requirements on reducing food waste and loss. Here, I will briefly summarize the progress we have achieved in our work.
First, efforts have been made to reduce losses in the procurement process, focusing on serving the people. More than 5,500 specialized post-production grain service centers have been established to provide cleaning, drying and storage services for farmers during gain harvesting. Additionally, nearly 10 million sets of scientifically designed grain storage equipment have been promoted for use. By using the equipment as required, grain storage losses for farmers have been reduced from an average of 8% to less than 2%. Second, we have grasped the application of technology to reduce losses during storage and transportation. We have implemented measures that promote applying the "four-in-one" grain storage technology, controlled atmosphere storage, temperature-controlled storage, and other innovative technologies to enhance storage conditions and maintain grain quality, thereby reducing the incidence of spoiled grain and minimizing losses. After the application of new technologies, the total loss rate of grain in the storage cycle of the State-owned grain depots was reduced to less than 1%. In addition, we have made advancements in transportation by developing and utilizing rail-water intermodal transport receiving and unloading systems, special transport vehicles, bulk grain logistics equipment and other technical equipment. These measures have reduced grain transport losses. Third, we have promoted moderate processing to reduce the loss of finished grain production. The transformation from raw grain to finished grain involves a processing phase. In recent years, issues with excessive processing in the market have resulted in a loss of nutrition for the human body. To address this problem, we have stepped up research and development efforts in moderate processing technologies and promoted their widespread adoption. We have also upgraded processing equipment to minimize unnecessary losses and consumption of grain and oil. In such a way, we have improved the yield of finished grain and the comprehensive utilization rate of by-products. Furthermore, we have focused on standardizing grain processing. Efforts have been made to formulate standards on adequate processing to ensure food security and food safety, and in particular, people's health. We have been guiding the whole society to save food and reduce food losses through standardized practices. Fourth, we have strengthened publicity and education to reduce losses in consumption. In combination with some thematic and comprehensive activities, such as World Food Day and National Food Security Publicity Week, we consistently carry out publicity and education to promote grain conservation, nutrition and health. We strive to create a social atmosphere that encourages conservation and opposes wasteful practices, thereby enhancing people's awareness and behavioral habits regarding food conservation. In this regard, our media friends have done a lot of work. On behalf of the NFSRA, I would like to thank you.
To effectively promote grain conservation, we need the joint efforts of practitioners, consumers and all sectors of society throughout the whole process from the field to the table. Going forward, as the competent authority, we will continue to work hard in this regard. At the same time, I hope our friends from the media can help us publicize and guide these initiatives. Together, we can reduce food loss and improve food production for the benefit of all. Thank you.
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Economic Daily:
Soybean is the largest variety of grain imports in China, and it is also mentioned many times in the "No.1 central document" this year. What China's current soybean market situation? What measures will the government take to enhance the stability and resilience of the soybean supply chain? Thanks.
Lu Jingbo:
Thanks for your question. Let me introduce the relevant situation. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council attach great importance to the security of soybean supply and have introduced a series of policy measures in production, processing, reserves, trade, import, and export in recent years. This year, the "No.1 central document" has made special arrangements for expanding soybean oilseeds and revitalizing the seed industry, providing a fundamental basis for further improving China's comprehensive guarantee capacity of soybean supply.
China's soybean market has two sources of supply: domestic and import, and there are certain differences between the two in function, market price, market demand and etc. Domestic soybeans are mainly used for food, like bean products, soybean milk, tofu, etc., with an annual consumption of 13 million to 15 million metric tons, and the domestic output can fully meet the demand in this regard; Imported soybeans serve chiefly as oil extraction and feeding, and the soymeal after oil extraction is used as raw material for feed production. Overall, the current situation of China's soybean market can be summarized as "two-sided sufficiency and overall stability," which means that there is a sufficient supply of domestic soybeans, a sufficient supply of imported soybeans, and overall stable market purchase and sales. From a domestic perspective, China's soybean production reached a historic high in 2022, exceeding 20 million metric tons. After fulfilling food consumption needs, there was still approximately 5 million metric tons of surplus, ensuring full market supply. From the perspective of imports, the global soybean supply-demand relationship is relatively loose. International agencies predicted that the global soybean production in 2022/23 would be approximately 370 million tons, reaching a historic high; the consumption volume would be 366 million tons, resulting in a surplus of over 3 million tons. This provides a solid foundation for China to effectively utilize both the international and domestic markets to meet its domestic consumption needs. From the perspective of market purchase and sales, the acquisition work of new soybean has maintained a stable and rapid momentum since it came into season. At the end of March, the peak season of soybean procurement was over, and companies in main soybean-producing areas had accumulated a total procurement of 4.18 million metric tons of new soybeans, an increase of 1.71 million metric tons year on year. At the same time, relevant departments in the early stage launched the new domestic soybean procurement work in the main soybean production areas of Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia, which effectively stabilized market expectations.
To enhance the stability and resilience of the soybean supply chain, relevant departments of the state have taken a series of measures. The first is to increase production capacity, continue to promote the project of increasing soybean and oil production capacity and improve the production level and supply capacity of domestic soybeans. Meanwhile, we have improved policies on subsidies for soybean producers to make farmers benefit from planting soybeans. The second is to facilitate processing, implement actions of promoting agricultural product processing, optimize industrial layout, guide large enterprises to develop deep processing, enhance their competitiveness, and create well-known domestic soybean brands. The third is to promote reasonable consumption. We have promoted conservation and loss reduction in all links of the soybean industry chain, encouraged feed breeding enterprises to optimize, and adjust feed protein content as well as advocated for residents to adopt a healthy diet, reduce oil consumption, increase greenery, and encourage healthy consumption of vegetable oils. The fourth is to stabilize imports, strengthen international cooperation, and explore emerging soybean source markets while stabilizing the traditional soybean source market, promoting the diversification of import sources. Thank you.
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China Discipline Inspection and Supervision Newspaper:
Recently, we have noticed that the website of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) has successively reported several cases of violating laws and Party discipline in the field of grain purchase and sales. As the authority in the grain sector, what measures will the CCDI take to effectively manage and supervise the national grain storage? Thank you.
Lu Jingbo:
In order to earnestly implement the important instructions and directives of General Secretary Xi Jinping on ensuring national food security and strengthening the supervision of grain circulation, after the implementation of the revised Regulations on the Administration of Grain Circulation in April 2021, the NFSRA organized a nationwide special law enforcement campaign for grain circulation. A series of measures have been taken to severely crack down on illegal activities in the grain circulation field, effectively safeguarding the order of grain circulation and the legitimate rights and interests of the people. In order to further consolidate and expand upon these achievements and fully cooperate in the special rectification of corruption issues in the field of grain purchase and sales, we have organized the "Year of Intensified Supervision, Stringent Law Enforcement, and Harsh Penalties" campaign this year. This campaign aligns with the directives of the CCDI and the National Supervisory Commission, aiming to propel grain supervision to new heights.
First, we will intensify efforts to strengthen the supervision of the entire chain of grain circulation, focusing on key links in grain circulation and key nodes such as peak procurement. We will severely crack down on illegal activities such as "issuing IOUs," "round-tripping grain," and "challenges in stock release." We will focus on safeguarding the order of grain circulation and the legitimate rights and interests of grain operators. We will conduct cross-provincial law enforcement inspections, implement video spot checks, and conduct annual inventory checks as routine measures to maintain the minimum standards for accurate quantity, superior quality, and secure storage of grain in stock.
Second, we will innovate methods to improve the efficiency of supervision. We will increase the promotion of the 12325 hotline, ensuring smooth channels for reporting information regarding grain-related concerns and effectively leveraging social supervision. We will comprehensively use various means such as "unannounced inspection," "quarterly assessments," "cross inspections," and digitalized supervision to continuously improve the efficiency of supervision. We will continue to promote credit-based supervision, pay further attention and increase spot checks in areas and enterprises with poor credit records and high-risk levels.
Thirdly, we will execute thorough investigations and expedite the enforcement of punishments, upholding a high-pressure environment of stringent management and severe penalties. We will establish a prompt response mechanism to handle leads pertaining to grain-related issues, enhancing the efficiency of lead processing through direct investigations, expedited processing, and escalating for higher-level handling. We will strictly regulate law enforcement actions, strengthen case management, and increase administrative penalties in accordance with laws and regulations. The administrative penalties issued by local grain and reserve authorities will be incorporated into the evaluation of the accountability system of provincial Party committees and governments for farmland protection and food security . We are fully committed to addressing the prominent problems of non-compliance with laws, lax law enforcement, and failure to prosecute law violations.
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Farmers' Daily, farmer.com.cn:
The Central Rural Work Conference proposed to advance rural revitalization on all fronts and accelerate agricultural and rural modernization. How can the high-quality grain project help rural revitalization? Thank you.
Cong Liang:
Rural and industrial revitalization are the top priorities, and the high-quality development of the grain industry is especially important. In recent years, the NFSRA has fully implemented the high-quality grain project, insisting on effectively dovetailing the high-quality development of the grain industry with rural revitalization, taking the revitalization of the grain industry as the key and focal point, promoting the building of a modern grain industry system, and lending strong impetus to rural revitalization. The focus of our work is on two aspects.
On the one hand, we will actively expand the development space of the grain industry by building, supplementing, and strengthening the chain. We will step up efforts to do a good job in grain production and sales, and the integration of primary and secondary industries, actively explore the upstream and downstream extension driven by the advantages of the grain industry chain, adapt measures according to local conditions through remedying deficiencies and strengthening weak links, and tap the potential of the entire industry chain – from the field to the dining table – to add value. For example, Funan county in Anhui province has taken the development of the high-quality wheat industry as a focal point, has promoted contract farming from 350,000 mu to 600,000 mu, and has helped farmers increase their income by more than 200 yuan per mu. At present, the "Funan Model" has been promoted and copied in 323 counties across the country, and the development of high-quality grain orders has exceeded 10 million mu, helping nearly 1.9 million small agricultural households and more than 3,400 farmer cooperatives effectively increase their income.
On the other hand, we will promote growth in rural incomes and make farmers become rich based on the improvement of the interest linkage mechanism. By making sure quality grain enjoying relatively higher prices, and building a mechanism for linking the interests of small agricultural households and leading enterprises, we fundamentally improve the ability of small agricultural households to deal with risks, allow farmers to share more of the value-added benefits of the grain industry, and promote the integrated development of the primary, secondary and tertiary industries in rural areas. For example, Huzhou city in Zhejiang province has improved the interest linkage mechanism featuring "processing enterprises + national grain warehouses + farmers" to realize cooperative grain harvesting and shared grain storage based on grain reserve resources. This scheme has added 650,000 mu to the planting area of high-quality grain , brought more than 260,000 metric tons of purchase orders, increased farmers' income by 200 million yuan, reduced costs for grain processing enterprises by 130 million yuan, and cut financial losses by 170 million yuan.
In the next step, we will further motivate local governments to develop the modern grain industry, stimulate the vitality of the entire chain of market entities, and explore new paths and new models for the development of the grain industry to boost rural revitalization. We will delve into typical cases and demonstration models and intensify publicity, promotion, and replication to promote the high-quality development of the grain industry to promote rural revitalization. Thank you.
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Science and Technology Daily:
Grain storage and preservation in a scientific manner are important protections to ensure grain quantity and safety and are also the inherent requirements of effectively managing the granary of a big country. At present, what is the developing status of China's grain storage technology? What breakthroughs have been made in green grain storage and technological grain preservation? Thank you.
Huang Wei:
Thank you for your question. Using scientific and technological means to store and manage stable grain is the key to food security. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, China's modernization in grain storage facilities has been continuously improved, and our country's grain storage technology is globally advanced. Grain storage is leaping from "safe grain storage" to the stage of "green and high-quality storage." In response to your question, I would like to introduce China's technological progress in grain storage in recent years.
The first is the "four-in-one" grain storage technology. The "four-in-one" grain storage technology refers to grain situation monitoring, mechanical ventilation, circulation fumigation, and cereal cooling, which are the standard protocol for grain storage in state-owned grain warehouses.
The second is temperature-controlled grain storage. The application of technologies such as shallow geothermal energy low-temperature grain storage and internal circulation temperature control can realize low-temperature and quasi-low-temperature grain storage that will prevent the grain from going bad and can also effectively reduce grain loss, especially ensure grain quality. At present, the nationwide capacity of temperature-controlled grain storage has exceeded 100 million metric tons.
The third is the controlled atmosphere grain storage. By filling nitrogen or carbon dioxide into well-airtight confined granaries or film-covered grain piles, a low-oxygen environment is created to delay grain deterioration. At present, there are storage units with 35 million metric tons of capacity in China that have adopted the controlled atmosphere technology.
The fourth is horizontal ventilation. The ventilation channel is installed on the walls of grain warehouses so that the airflow can pass through the grain pile horizontally, reducing drops in quality caused by water loss because of ventilation. The grain moisture loss varies according to ventilation conditions, so this kind of technology is used to solve the problem.
The fifth is information technology. Through the application of information technology such as radio frequency, new sensors, and remote monitoring, the real-time monitoring of the grain situation in the granary is realized. Sometimes the temperature of the grain rises, and worms will surface. If there is a failure to find them in time, the grain cannot be processed in a timely manner. The application of electronic technology is also conducive to the storage of grain.
The sixth is insect and mildew control. In addition to the traditional light trapping equipment for grain pests, there are now many inert powders and biological agents that can effectively reduce stored grain pests. Some new technologies have not yet been put into use. We will upgrade the press on the latest development. Thank you.
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People's Daily:
In recent years, the requirement for both Party and government leaders to take responsibility for food security has become more apparent. This year, the "No. 1 central document" of the CPC Central Committee outlined that a more rigorous appraisal of farmland protection and food security accountability should be applied among provincial-level Party committees and governments. How do you ensure that all local Party committees and governments fulfill the responsibility of food security through appraisals? Thank you.
Lu Jingbo:
Your question is very important. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly stressed that local Party committees and governments at all levels should shoulder the political responsibility for food security, both Party and government leaders should bear responsibility for food security, and both provincial governors and secretaries should assume responsibility for the "rice bag." Strict measures should be taken to ensure that all local Party committees and governments bear responsibility for farmland conservation. Local governments should sign written pledges to the Party Central Committee on protecting farmland, and a strict appraising system and life-long accountability should be put in place to ensure the area of farmland remains above the redline of 120 million hectares. This year, the "No. 1 central document" of the CPC Central Committee has made further arrangements and plans for accountability-based appraisal on farmland conservation and food security among provincial-level Party committees and governments.
General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions and the strategic deployment of the CPC Central Committee have elevated the importance of agriculture and grain production to a record high. To ensure that both Party and government leaders assume responsibility for food security, relevant departments have studied and formulated institutional documents, while improving policy systems. They have specified that the NDRC, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the NFSRA and other relevant departments should enhance the system of provincial governors assuming responsibility for food security. Additionally, these departments are required to conduct annual appraisals to assess the implementation of such responsibilities by provincial-level Party committees and governments.
At present, measures on the appraisal of farmland protection and food security accountability among provincial-level Party committees and governments have been released, focusing on the following four aspects:
First, we should emphasize responsibilities in more detail. In addition to assessing the specific responsibility for food security among governments, more specific political and leadership responsibilities will be taken among Party committees. This fully demonstrates the idea that "both Party and government leaders should take responsibility for coordination and cooperation."
Second, we should reinforce a systems-based approach. We will establish a connection between the appraisal of farmland protection and accountability for food security. This will facilitate coordinated support for multi-faceted links, ensuring a better integration and more effective linking for the productive factor combinations.
Third, we should emphasize the key areas of evaluation. In accordance with the general requirements of problem orientation and stringent appraisal, we will set well-conceived assessing indicators and weight the scores, set a one-vote veto on key issues such as farmland protection, grain production and planting structure adjustment, clarify the appraising "red line," and maintain the bottom line of safety.
Fourth, we should emphasize the importance of both incentives and constraints. Provinces and equivalent administrative units that have achieved remarkable results by implementing major innovative measures to protect farmland and ensure food security will receive appropriate rewards.
This year marks the first year of tests for provincial-level Party committees and governments on their work in farmland protection and food safety. For the next step, to ensure the effective implementation of decisions and deployments made by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council and the firm food supply for 1.4 billion Chinese people, we will adhere to the strategic deployments made at the 20th CPC National Congress, accelerate the arrangements of performance assessment, conduct performance evaluation in a strict manner, and consolidate the responsibilities of local Party committees and governments to protect farmland and ensure food safety in accordance with relevant regulations, and from a comprehensive perspective, to enhance the foundation of food safety. Thank you.
Shou Xiaoli:
Due to time constraints, the last two questions please.
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Sannongfabu:
Food safety has always been a major concern to all. In recent years, cadmium-contaminated rice and fungi-contaminated wheat have attracted massive attention. I would like to ask, what measures will you take to safeguard food safety? Thank you.
Huang Wei:
The quality of grain is highly relevant to each household, remaining a major concern to all. Hereby, I would like to share an overall conclusion with you all. Our government has conducted risk monitoring work on grain quality during the process of purchasing and storing on a yearly basis since 2006. According to our information, the overall situation of China's grain quality remains good. Therefore, please rest assured that the overall situation is good in both the links of purchasing and storing. The concerns raised by the journalist are attributed to many other factors, such as soil and water pollution and climate change. The key is how we deal with it. Therefore, regarding this area of work, the government has attached great significance. In accordance with the "four strictest requirements": the strictest standards, the strictest supervision, the strictest punishment, and the strictest accountability, raised by General Secretary Xi Jinping, our work is mainly focused on monitoring and inspection. Once we find contaminated food of such kind, we will take measures in a timely and effective manner. Our only goal is to ensure that no contaminated food shall be allowed to enter the staple food market. This is our ultimate goal, as well as a "redline."
First, we will conduct monitoring work at an earlier stage, carrying out quality and food safety index monitoring during the process of purchasing. We have collected over 70,000 samples each year to timely grasp the quality and safety situation of newly acquired grain, actively understand the situation of contaminated grain in advance, and earn time to deal with those issues immediately.
Second, we will take strict measures to ensure quality inspection. Under the multi-tiered national-, provincial-, municipal-, and county-level inspection and monitoring systems for food quality and safety, we have expanded investment in inspection technology and equipment and comprehensively upgraded the functions of more than 1,500 food quality and safety inspection institutions and laboratories nationwide, adding 29,000 inspection parameters and 26,000 samples a month on average. We have created favorable conditions for the warehouse entry and exit of grain.
Third, we will resolutely adhere to the classification of treatment. In the process of purchasing, contaminated grain should be purchased at designated points, stored exclusively, and supervised throughout the whole process. It should not be allowed to mix with other grains in general circulation and should be managed in a closed loop. In the process of storing, we should take the purpose of use into consideration. For example, for the grains in industrial use, we should conduct regular or occasional sampling inspections on the quality of stored grain in order to accurately understand the quality of grain and resolutely ensure none of the substandard grains be allowed to enter the staple food market or food production enterprises.
Fourth, we will strengthen the responsibilities of local Party committees and governments. The responsibilities of Party committees and governments at all levels should be fully consolidated through the shared accountability system of the Party and government. Regarding the issue of food safety, China has established a synergistic mechanism among ministries and commissions and a systematic supervision system in government at all levels, in accordance with the requirements of the Food Safety Law. Relevant work has been included in the assessment of the shared accountability system of the Party and government, working as an important indicator. If there appears to be one problem, we will activate a one-vote-down system. Please rest assured that the government's attitude remains resolute in dealing with the issues of food safety. We will never allow any contaminated food to enter the staple food market or the tables of thousands of households. Thank you.
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MASTV:
As the summer grain purchase of this year is about to start, I would like to ask, what measures will be taken to bring every grain to the granary? Relevant reports showed that the future price of international wheat has hit a two-year low. What are your expectations about the price of China's summer wheat after purchasing? Thank you.
Cong Liang:
Summer grain purchase is the first task of China's annual grain purchase, playing a key role throughout the whole year. We are going to see the harvests of rapeseed and wheat from south to north. The NFSRA will work with relevant departments to concretely implement food safety requirements under the shared accountability system of the Party and government, faithfully put summer grain purchase high on the agenda, meticulously organize and carry out market-oriented and policy-based purchasing work, continue to provide services for farmers and enterprises, strictly enforce law enforcement and supervision on grain circulation, refine tasks, consolidate responsibilities, and take multiple measures at the same time so as to ensure the smooth development of summer grain purchase from all aspects.
Since last year, the international market of wheat has witnessed continuous fluctuations due to multiple factors such as regional conflicts, extreme weather, and capital speculation. However, China's wheat has achieved successive years of bumper harvests, maintaining a good balance between production and demand. The country's wheat inventory is at a high level and achieves absolute security of staple food. The market has operated in a stable manner on the whole. Regarding the dispatching situation, the sown area of wheat this year has expanded more than that of last year. The wheat is growing well, and looks forward to another good harvest again. It is expected that the price of new wheat will maintain stable. At present, the market prices of wheat and early indica rice are obviously higher than the minimum purchase prices, so it seems unlikely to start a consignment purchase plan. We will strengthen market monitoring, work with relevant parties to launch a minimum purchase plan in eligible places, give full play to the supporting role of policies, and ensure the bottom line that all farmers' grain can be sold. Thank you.
Shou Xiaoli:
Thank you to all speakers and friends from the media. Today's briefing concludes now. Goodbye.
Translated and edited by Wang Yiming, Wang Qian, Zhang Rui, Liu Sitong, Liu Caiyi, Zhang Junmian, Wang Yanfang, Yan Bin, He Shan, Zhang Tingting, Li Huiru, Qin Qi, Ma Yujia, Tom Arnsten, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.
