CRI听力: Annual Agriculture Conference Emphasizes Construction and Maintenance of Irrigation Projects

Future developments in Chinese agriculture have been agreed at a meeting in Beijing.

The conference on rural work looked at issues for the next five years and decided to increase investment in agriculture and speed up work to improve irrigation.

Wu Jia reports:

The conference concludes that the development of a system to conserve water and irrigate fields is needed to boost agricultural production.

Research conducted by the Ministry of Water Resources reveals that more than half of China's arable land does not have basic irrigation. And what does exist is old and in a state of disrepair with poor support facilities.

Chen Xiwen is Director of the Office of the Central Rural Work Leading Group. He says poor water conservation has seriously threatened China's agriculture and food security...

"The whole nation is impressed by the drought and flood disasters this year. This suggests our water conservancy projects are very fragile. Thus, only to enhance infrastructure construction can lay a solid foundation for the sustainable and constant development of agriculture. "

The 12th five-year plan is set out as an important strategic opportunity to achieve agricultural development. It aims to ensure a secure supply of grain and raise farmers incomes. Its primary goal is to try and achieve substantial development of modern agriculture. Agriculture Minister Han Changfu says that by raising agricultural production China will end up with an area of about 1.6 billion mu to grow grain...

"We have set a red line and a bottom line. The red line guarantees that our arable land never shrinks to less than 1.8 billion mu. The bottom line ensures no less than 1.6 billion mu of sown areas. As the unit output increases, total grain output will become greater."

At the conference it was noted that the Chinese government will significantly increase investment in agriculture. The industry, farmers and rural areas could see more than 800 billion yuan invested this year. Other issues covered included developing agricultural facilities, equipment and improving farmer's living standards, as well as ensuring continued production and keeping grain prices under control.

For CRI, I'm Wu Jia.