Comprehensive guarantees for national food security

A publicity campaign for national food security and World Food Day, which falls on Oct 16 every year, was launched on Monday.

Facing the complex global food security situation, such a national publicity initiative is conducive to helping the whole society deepen its understanding of food security and creating a favorable public opinion environment for implementing relevant policies on food security.

In recent years, China has comprehensively strengthened its grain production, circulation and reserve capacity, and made great achievements in the cause of food security. Keeping the Chinese people's rice bowls firmly in their own hands is in itself a big contribution to world food security, as the country accounts for nearly one-fifth of the global population.

China has implemented an effective grain policy of increasing production and reducing wastage at the same time. On the one hand, the country seeks to increase grain output by applying new technologies and centralizing agricultural production activities. On the other, it tries to reduce grain loss and waste throughout the whole agriculture and food industry chains, and pays special attention to reducing the wasting of food.

Affected by geopolitical conflicts, trade protectionism and other factors, global grain prices have risen markedly this year, and China has reduced its grain imports to some extent. For now, that has little impact on domestic food supplies, as the country has adequate food reserves.

The size of the central reserve remains stable, and the size of local reserves is continuously being increased. The country's grain reserve is also being constantly adjusted and optimized, which effectively strengthens the government's ability to guard against food security risks.

Improving the capacity for emergency food supply is crucial to ensuring national food security. In recent years, China's emergency grain storage, transportation, processing, distribution and supply capacity has been continuously improved. The grain emergency response plan that extends to the county level has been continuously improved, as has the emergency grain and edible oil supply guarantee mechanism.

China has the confidence and ability to effectively guarantee grain and edible oil supply in major emergencies. As the largest developing country and a responsible major country in the world, China, while ensuring its own food security, has actively participated in international development cooperation and global governance on food security, and made its unique contribution to reducing hunger and poverty in the world.

- ECONOMIC DAILY