China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has reported that the country achieved a new high in grain production last year.
This emphasises the country’s crucial role in ensuring food security, CGTN reported.
The statistics reveal that China produced over 695.41 million metric tons of grain in 2023, marking a notable annual increase of 1.3%.
This milestone signifies the ninth consecutive year in which China’s annual grain output has exceeded 650 million tons.
The ministry highlighted the well-structured nature of China’s grain output and ample reserves, providing a solid foundation for maintaining food security.
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Additionally, the country aims to reinforce policy support to strengthen the agricultural sector further.
China’s grain production has experienced fluctuations throughout its extensive history.
Official statistics indicate a substantial increase in grain production from 283 million tons in 1978 to 602 million tons in 2013, marking a nearly 40% rise from the 2003 level.
However, some estimates propose that the actual grain production in China might be lower than officially reported.
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According to Monthly Review, an independent social magazine, the historical trajectory of China’s grain output reveals growth from 181 million tons in 1952 to 285 million tons in 1977, showing an average annual increase of 3%, except for the challenging period from 1959 to 1961.
Following the setbacks of the Great Leap Forward, China implemented increased use of chemical fertilisers, significantly improving agricultural yields.
China has consistently surpassed the 650 million-ton mark in grain production in recent years, achieving a historic peak of 663.85 million tons in 2021.
Over the period from 1949 to 2011, the country experienced an average annual growth rate of 2.6% in grain output, witnessing an increase from 113 million tons to 571 million tons.
