"We need to consolidate, improve and intensify support for agriculture, and ensure the smooth operation of spring plowing and sowing," he added. He said the government should support moves to add 50 million tons of grain growing capacity across the country.

Wang said China should increase funding of better seed varieties, noting that grants to farmers who plant superior varieties of crops like wheat, corn and rice rose by 15.48 billion yuan (US$2.28 billion), a rise of 25.4 percent, in 2009.

He urged China to continue to boost its spending on agricultural restructuring. "Different areas should grow crops best suited to local conditions, and increase agricultural safety and efficiency."

He added that the government should boost efforts to improve lower-yield farmland and increase production capacity, especially in the main grain-producing areas like Henan Province. This year, the agricultural development funds will total 14.7 billion yuan (US$2.17 billion), up 15.7 percent.

China should also increase spending on projects for supplying safe drinking water and methane to rural areas. Wang said that in 2009, the government will provide safe water to another 60 million people and methane to an additional 5 million families.

(China.org.cn March 11, 2009)