CRI:

At the end of last year, the central economic work conference put forward the principles for supply-side structural reform. Are there any important measures in the No. 1 Central Document concerning supply-side structural reform in the agricultural sector? Thank you.

Han Changfu:

In order to deepen supply-side structural reform in general and also in the agricultural sector, the central economic work conference set the following principles: Previous structural adjustments for cutting overcapacity, reducing excess inventory, deleveraging, lowering costs, and strengthening areas of weakness, should all be reinforced; micro market entities will be further motivated and energized; the levels of industrial chains will be improved; and the national economic cycle should be further facilitated. In the past two years, there was remarkable progress in supply-side structural reform in the agricultural sector. The mismatch between the supply and demand of agricultural products has improved substantially. For example, major progress can be seen in the reduction of the corn inventory, there has been a significant increase in green development and product quality. However, the main problem in agriculture still remains on the supply side, requiring further reform efforts. The No. 1 Central Document stresses the abovementioned principles. We must stick to the supply-side structural reform in line with the principles of promoting greener agriculture with better quality, and improve the branding of agricultural products as well as their uniqueness and specialty. We intend to deepen supply-side structural reform in greater detail so as to further promote high-quality agricultural development.

First, we will continue to improve various aspects of the agricultural structure. We will reinforce the corn structural adjustment by reducing excess inventory, lowering costs and strengthening areas of weakness. We will maintain a well-balanced pace of work to reduce the corn inventory, step up our efforts in reducing the rice stockpile, implement the plan to boost soybean planting and output, increase the supply of rare, green and quality agricultural products, adjust the product mix of basic food, cash, and fodder crops, raise the quality and performance of the livestock industry and promote the transformation and upgrading of the fisheries sector. 

Second, we will make efforts to advance green development by promoting green and recycling production modes and launching campaigns to reduce use of fertilizers and pesticides. Last year, China achieved negative growth in use of both fertilizers and pesticides. We will continue to seek advances in this regard. Moreover, we will promote the recycling of agricultural waste. And we will also expand trials in using systems of crop rotation and fallow land. 

Third, we will take strong measures to facilitate standardized production, brand building, and closer supervision of food safety. We will work to ensure the quality and safety of agricultural products and improve the supervisory mechanism, monitoring and traceability systems. In this way, we can promote an agricultural development pattern where the superior will be selected and the inferior eliminated, and the quality and branding will propel and bolster agricultural growth.

These are the major measures we will undertake to adjust the agricultural structure. We believe that, with stable total output and improving structure, the agricultural sector can achieve better quality, performance and greater competitiveness. Thank you.

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