China plans to set up land for production of grain and other important agricultural products, in order to safeguard food supply and security, according to a circular issued by the State Council on April 10.

By 2020, a total of 70.5 million hectares would be set aside for production, including 60 million for grain production — rice, wheat and corn. Other agricultural products will include soybean, cotton and natural rubber.

High-standard farmlands will be constructed, featuring high-yield and environment-friendliness. Water conservancy facilities that fit agricultural needs will be constructed.

Construction of the project would be a key field for fixed-asset investment, according to the document.

Farmers and agricultural business entities will be encouraged to join the construction. Their legal rights to contracted management will be protected.

Advanced agricultural technologies will be promoted for the land, including mechanical production, high-yield cultivation and green cultivation. Information technologies would be integrated with agricultural production, including Internet of Things, cloud computing and big data.

Local governments were asked to form regulations for the management of the land to make sure that both farmlands’ quantity and quality would be maintained.