国内英语新闻:Premier Li stresses preparation for spring farming

BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday stressed efforts in farm management and preparation for spring plowing while cautioning about major animal diseases and pests.

All regions and departments should work to consolidate the achievements made in the fight against poverty and promote rural vitalization with a comprehensive approach, Li said in a written instruction to a teleconference on China's spring farming.

Concerning food security, Li said policies supporting grain production should be strengthened and farmers and local governments should be mobilized to ensure that the grain output stays above 650 billion kg this year.

He also emphasized fostering the country's seed industry, constructing high-standard farmlands and securing the "red line" of 1.8 billion mu (120 million hectares) of arable land.