BEIJING — China's minister of agriculture on June 5 stressed the role of green agricultural in stepping up high-quality growth in the sector and the country's rural vitalization.

The country should enhance agricultural modernization that ensures output efficiency and product safety, conserves resources and is environmentally friendly, Han Changfu, minister of agriculture and rural affairs, said at a conference on green agricultural development.

Han stressed the crucial role of green development in relieving the pressure on resources, controlling pollution in agriculture and rural areas and promoting sustainable agricultural development.

A string of measures should be taken to achieve the goal of green development in agriculture, such as strictly protecting land and water resources, and reducing usage while increasing the effectiveness of fertilizer and pesticide, as well as enhancing ecological farming, he said.

More work should be done to adjust and optimize agricultural structure and regional layout, facilitate standardized production and strengthen supervision over the safety of agricultural products.