China has the ability to deal with the risks of the global food crisis
The recent epidemic of new crown pneumonia has spread globally, causing panic hoarding of food in various countries. In order to cope with the impact of the epidemic, many countries have adopted various measures to ensure adequate domestic food supply. Some countries have initiated national inventory plans to increase food reserves; some food exporting countries have restricted their grain exports, and some importing countries have expanded their import scale. Will China's food security be impacted?
Cheng Guoqiang, a distinguished professor of Tongji University, said in an interview with the Economic Daily that if the world epidemic is not effectively controlled in the later period, the risk of the global food crisis caused by the epidemic may be a high probability event. While fighting against the epidemic, China also has a solid foundation for coping with the risks of the global food crisis. The current food security situation in China is at the best period in history. Grain has been harvested in successive years and there are sufficient stocks. There will be no out-of-stock or out-of-stocks in the food supply.
China's rations production has absolute safety guarantee capabilities, and its dependence on imports is low. China has always attached great importance to food and agricultural production. Since the reform and opening up, especially since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China has steadily increased its comprehensive agricultural production capacity through various measures such as policy support, technology-driven, and deepening reforms. Grain output has been stable for 7 consecutive years. Above 600 million tons, the self-sufficiency rate of cereals exceeds 95%, and the two major rations of rice and wheat are fully self-sufficient. However, there is a structural shortage of grain in China, insufficient supply of high-quality rice and wheat, a gap in production and demand for corn, and a soybean self-sufficiency rate of less than 20%. China imports more than 100 million tons of grain annually, mainly soybeans and coarse grains. Rice and wheat imports are generally 2 million tons and 4 million tons, accounting for 1% and 2% of total domestic consumption, respectively. effect.
Soybeans are the main agricultural products imported by China and have a high degree of dependence on foreign countries. In order to ensure the security of soybean supply, in recent years, China has continuously expanded the source of soybean imports. Moreover, soybeans are not the main grain variety restricted by some grain exporting countries this time, and have little impact on China's soybean imports.
The perfect grain reserve control system and emergency management mechanism are the "Dinghaishen needles" for China to successfully respond to various natural disasters and public health emergencies.
In the past 20 years, China has established and continuously improved the central and local grain reserve systems and coordination mechanisms. From the current point of view, China's grain and oil stocks are at historical highs, and both the central and local grain reserves are very abundant. China has also established a corresponding food emergency protection mechanism in response to abnormal fluctuations in the food market caused by various public emergencies and natural disasters. Large and medium-sized cities have generally established finished product reserves such as rice noodle oil, which can meet local supply of 10 to 15 days. At the same time, China's grain and oil market system and distribution and supply network are sound, and supply capacity and timeliness are reliably guaranteed. Rice flour can be quickly put into the final consumer market.
"By continuously strengthening and improving the construction of the food reserve system and emergency system, China has not only withstood the severe test of recurring natural disasters such as the Wenchuan earthquake, snow and ice disasters, successfully responded to the 2008 global food crisis, but also responded to the new crown pneumonia epidemic this time. The critical period of severe challenges has also effectively guaranteed the effective supply of food, especially in key epidemic areas, and played a 'ballast stone' role for market stability and stability. "Cheng Guoqiang said.
At present, the situation of epidemic prevention and control in China continues to improve, and the order of production and living has accelerated. All parts of the country are fully organizing spring ploughing production to ensure a bumper summer crop. At the beginning of this year, China has formulated policy goals for stabilizing food planting area and food production, and formulated a series of supporting policies and measures, including strengthening the assessment of the governor's responsibility system for food security, and further strengthening the local government's responsibility awareness for ensuring food security. Awareness of the overall situation; increase incentives and support for the major grain-producing counties, consolidate the enthusiasm and responsibility of the local heavy farmers for food; further improve the agricultural support policy system, ensure the basic income of farmers in growing grain, and protect the enthusiasm of farmers in growing food and agriculture Wait. "Obviously, this year's game of stabilizing grain production laid the foundation for coping with risks. China is fully able to effectively respond to possible global food market price fluctuations and food security crises." Cheng Guoqiang said.
"We must pay special attention to promoting the strengthening of international food security and trade policy coordination." Cheng Guoqiang said that the epidemic has caused a global impact on global food production and demand. If the world epidemic situation is still not effectively controlled in the later period, it will also lack an effective macro-coordination mechanism for international food security. In addition, the locust plague in some countries affects food production, which may worsen global food market expectations and threaten the food security of China and developing countries. Cheng Guoqiang suggested that under the framework and mechanisms of the United Nations, the Group of Twenty, and other multilateral institutions, global responsibilities and missions to eliminate hunger and ensure food security should be strengthened, and countries should start coordinating, cooperating and acting on global food security and agricultural trade to ensure global agriculture Work with the effective and continuous advancement of the food supply chain, continuously improve and strengthen global food security governance, and jointly maintain global agricultural trade and market order. (Liu Hui, reporter from China Economic Net)