China News Agency, Beijing, February 22 (Reporter Chen Su) Since 2020, international food prices have generally risen, and some countries have tightened their "food bags". What is the food security situation in China with a population of 1.4 billion?

Tang Renjian, director of the Central Agriculture Office and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, stated on the 22nd that China is capable of securing its "rice bowl."

Data map: In early July 2020, in many wheat growing areas in Kongtong District, Pingliang City, Gansu Province, contiguous areas of wheat ushered in the harvest season.

Photo by Wan Xiaolian

　　At the press conference of the State Information Office held that day, Tang Renjian introduced the food security situation in China.

　　He said that for many years, China’s grain harvest has been bumper every year, reaching 1,339 billion catties in 2020, a record high, an increase of more than 10 billion catties over the previous year, and the whole society’s grain stocks are currently very abundant.

In response to the new crown pneumonia epidemic last year, grain and important agricultural and sideline products were produced, supplied, and sold well, and withstood a big test.

"I can tell you very responsibly that China's food security is completely guaranteed and we have the ability to secure our jobs."

　　At the same time of bumper harvest year after year, Tang Renjian pointed out that it is necessary to realize that China's grain supply and demand are not wide and there has always been a tight balance.

During the "14th Five-Year Plan" (2021-2025) or even a longer period of time, there will be some growth in population, especially with the upgrading of consumption, and there will be rigid growth in food demand.

At the same time, the uncertainty and instability of the external situation have also increased significantly.

"Therefore, when it comes to food security, one cannot take it lightly. The safety factor must be as high as possible, and produce as much grain as possible and store more grain."

　　Tang Renjian said that to ensure food security, the focus is to do a good job in "having food in the ground and storing food in technology." "And prevent the "non-grainization" of arable land, firmly maintain the red line of 1.8 billion mu of arable land, ensure that the planned 1.075 billion mu of high-standard farmland will be built, and strive to grow food.

We need science and technology for yields and benefits, insist on self-reliance and self-reliance in agricultural science and technology, and make up our minds to fight for a turnaround in the seed industry, and use modern agricultural technology and material equipment to strengthen the support of food security.

We must also allow farmers to make money from growing grain, and uphold and improve agricultural price and subsidy policies.

(Finish)