Minister Han Changfu gave a Press Conference for the second session of China's 12th National People's Congress (NPC) on rural reform in Beijing on March 6, 2014.
During the Press Conference, Minister Han briefed newsmen about the latest agricultural and rural developments in China. Minister Han also took questions ranging from food security, grain import, rural land transfer, food safety, GMOs to agricultural subsidies.
Minister Han stated that China's farmland must be maintained above the minimum threshold of 120 million hectares. China is determined to ensure the adequate supply of grain, to maintain China's self sufficiency and to meet grain production targets set for the year of 2020.. He pledged that China will rely on domestic production to ensure grain security, saying that "the bowls of the Chinese will be filled mainly with the grain produced in China.'
"Rural land transfer should follow the laws and regulations, respect farmers' true will, and be compensated," Minister Han told the media when being asked about the issue of land transfer. Rural land transfer should be carried out in an orderly manner, and shall not be forced upon farmers by local governments who might be in a rush for bigger achievements.
As for food safety, Minister Han said there is still room for improvement. He admitted that insufficient supervision and present production and consumption pattern in China are a part of the reason. However, the government holds zero tolerance for any food safety events and is obligated to ensure safe food for the people.
During the Press Conference, Minister Han reiterated and clarified that China has not approved any commercial production of genetically modified (GM) staple crops. "We have been cautious over GM food because we want to make sure that it is safe," he said, "On the other hand, we do encourage innovation in agricultural technology, including GM technology.'
Agricultural subsidies, which are effective in promoting agricultural production and welcomed by the farmers, just accounted for 3% of farmers' annual income, and will be increased this year, according to Minister Han.
The Press Conference was a side-event to the annual session of NPC.