Seed China News 1302

The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) issued its work points on 2013 planting industry at the end of Feb., claiming to maintain the grain production area to not less than 111.27 million ha. (1.67 billion mu) for the year 2013. Pointed by the MOA, the domestic total grain output should be increased steadily relying on the planting expansion of some high-yield crops like corn and rice. The total grain output should be over 525 million tonnes in 2013, which is the exact goal set by the MOA.

The MOA also said that it would ensure the planting of cash crops. For the year 2013, cotton planting area should be over 4.67 million ha. (70 million mu), oil crops (mainly referring to rapeseed, peanut and oil sunflower) over 13.33 million ha. (200 million mu) and sugar crops (mainly referring to sugar cane and beet) over 1.93 million ha. (29 million mu).

The guarantee of domestic grain output is always a key task for the MOA, mainly regarding to domestic decreasing arable land and the rising demand from the population. However, too much attention paid on high-yield crops to enhance grain output would probably impact the planting of other crops. For example, the planting area of soybean has been continuously decreasing in recent years, which is partially owing to the increasing planting of corn with better benefits.

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