China urges farming innovation

Chinese authorities Wednesday issued their first policy document of 2012, underscoring the importance of scientific and technological innovation for sustained agricultural growth.

To ensure an effective supply of agricultural products is vital to the country's overall and strategic development amid the complicated global economic situation, deepening influence of global climate changes and increasing shortages of arable land and water at home, said the document, the ninth of its kind since 2004 to address rural problems.

This was the first time the government took "accelerating agricultural scientific and technological innovation" as the theme of its No. 1 document.

"It is a milestone in the history of China's agricultural science and technology development," said Chen Mengshan, a spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture.

The country needs more innovation efforts in the agricultural sector as it relies on imports for more than 50 percent of its live pigs, layers, broilers and fine breeds of cattle.

Besides, more than 90 percent of the country's high-end vegetables, flowers and plants come from other countries and regions, said Chen.

The document said the government would continue to expand its fiscal budget for agriculture in 2012 and direct more of the country's fixed-asset investment toward the sector.

It said the government should play a leading role in investing in agricultural science and ensure that the investment will create "significantly" faster growth compared to fiscal revenues.

The country will also offer more subsidies for major grain-producing areas and farming cooperatives, with direct subsidies for farmers to be increased.

Government investment will boost development of both frontier agricultural technologies and basic research which focus on bio-safety, farm product safety, effective use of farmland, ecological restoration and genetic regulation, according to the document.

The government is also seeking major achievements in the development of agricultural bio-technology, breeding, new materials, precision farming, water-saving irrigation, fertilizers, epidemic control, marine agriculture, processing and shipping, and equipment.

Particular emphasis will be given to scientific innovation in seed production, the document said.

Water projects

Meanwhile, the authorities will build more water projects, treat rivers and lakes, strengthen reservoirs and prevent geological disasters to increase the areas that have access to irrigation.

The document also pledged to provide more training in science and technology in rural areas to produce professionals in the sector to facilitate growth.

Despite remarkable achievements in improving agricultural production and the livelihoods of rural residents in 2011, China faces growing difficulties and uncertainties in securing a stable development of rural areas, the document said.