The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held its 35th briefing on issues of major concern in Beijing on April 21, focusing on ensuring the supply of important agricultural products.

Underscoring food security as a matter of prime importance to China, Gu Shengzu, vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and executive vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association, called for efforts to establish a long-term mechanism to prevent the use of arable land for non-farming purposes or the planting of non-grain crops, promote the vitalization of the seed industry and application of technologies in agriculture, and also allow farmers to gain more from added value in the industrial chain.

Gu also said it's necessary to advance supply-side structural reform in the agricultural sector and improve the national governance system and capability to guarantee food security.

Zeng Yande, chief agronomist of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said the country's grain output has exceeded 650 million tonnes for seven consecutive years and there are also sufficient supplies of major agricultural products, including cotton, sugar, meat, eggs and milk.

Yet, China's grain supply and demand remains in a tight balance, with a low self-sufficiency rate for soybeans and oilseeds, according to Zeng. He said the ministry will strengthen policy support to enhance grain production.

At the meeting, CPPCC members also shared their suggestions on issues such as forage grass breeding, rubber production, and trends in the import and export of agricultural products.