Premier Li Keqiang, in an instruction to a video conference on spring farming and production on March 2, called for solid preparation for spring farming and effective prevention of animal diseases and pests to ensure food security and the supply of major agricultural and sideline products.

Premier Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said the work in agriculture and villages is significant in the starting year of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025).

He asked departments and governments in all regions to firmly implement the decisions and measures of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council to consolidate poverty eradication and push forward rural revitalization.

Production is pressing against a short time, Premier Li said, adding that farmland management and farming preparation should be enhanced with proper technical guides and stable material supplies.

While pooling in more support policies, farmers and local governments should be mobilized in grain production to ensure the output above 1.3 trillion jin (650 billion kilograms), Premier Li said.

In addition, he added, more work should be done to make a good start in turning around the seed industry, intensifying high-standard farmland construction, and holding the red line of arable land.

He also called for efforts to stabilize hog production, and prevent and control major animal diseases and pests. Food security and a sufficient supply of major agricultural and sideline products will lay a solid foundation for the economic and social development of the year, Premier Li stressed.

Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, addressed the meeting.

He called for firm implementation of the decisions and measures of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council to ensure a good harvest this year and effective supply of grains and key agricultural products to provide strong support for a good start to the 14th Five-Year Plan.

Hu underscored the great importance of guaranteeing this year’s grain and agricultural production, saying that both the Party and the government should be responsible for grain security and more capital input should be used to stimulate farmers’ enthusiasm.

China must maintain grain output above 650 billion kilograms, guarantee grain acreage, fight against disasters for harvests, and improve grain varieties in quality as well as quantity, Hu said.

A red line of the 1.8 billion mu (120 million hectares) of arable land must be held, the acreage of permanent basic farmland must be guaranteed with the main purpose for grain planting, and construction of high-standard farmland should be completed, he added.

He also urged efforts to carry out surveys, identification and protection of agricultural germ plasm resources, work out and implement action plan on promoting the development of the seed industry, and grow seed businesses.

Modernization of facilities and equipment in agricultural production, distribution and processes should be accelerated to improve supply and market competitiveness, he said.

He also stressed stable production of hogs, further development of the cattle, sheep and dairy industries, and sound production of poultry and aquatic products.