BEIJING — China is making headway in resuming hog production as a string of targeted policies have taken effect, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on March 24.

China's breeding sows in stock in 400 counties monitored by the ministry expanded by 1.7 percent month-on-month in February, growing for the fifth consecutive month, said Yang Zhenhai, an official with the ministry.

Newly-born piglets in farms with over 500 pigs in stock saw a month-on-month growth of 3.4 percent, marking its first increase since September 2019, Yang said, noting that 27 provinces registered growth in the number of hogs, five more than those of January.

Considering the epidemic fallout on the enterprises linked with hog production, the ministry will coordinate with related departments to smoothen the transportation of forage and piglets and enhance epidemic control for major firms to ensure the hog production being operated in an orderly manner.

The agricultural ministry will strengthen inspections on the implementation of supportive policies, promote the work resumption of new projects and intensify supervision over pig transportation.