Grain shortage fuels Chinese land conservation
10/10/2008 16:45
In August, China's top land regulator urged local authorities to safeguard
1.8 billion mu (120 million hectares) of the country's farm land fearing a grain
shortage. Yesterday, local authorities responded to the request.
Xu Shaoshi,
head of the Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR), called on provincial leaders
to abide by the land use general outline in a letter dated Aug. 29.
On the
the ministry's website yesterday, local government officials said they would
protect arable land by strengthening management and by fighting land use
malpractice.
They added that they would formulate scientific land utilization
plans to improve efficiency and conservation.
On Aug. 13, China's State
Council, the cabinet, approved a general outline for the country's land use plan
during the 2006-2020 period. The goal is to ensure the proper use of farm land
and guarantee a minimum of 120 million hectares of arable land, amid concerns
about grain supplies.
In Sept. the MLR asked local governments to replenish
farmland before allocating it for non-farming purposes.
China is facing a
sharp conflict between land supply and demand. The area of arable land, shrank
610,100 mu in 2007 to 1.826 billion mu. That was only slightly above the
governments minimum total goal.
Xinhua
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