China to grow more soybeans

China is stepping up its efforts to increase production of soybeans and edible oils, state media reported on Monday, citing a key agricultural policy document, as the country continues to push for greater self-sufficiency in basic food supplies. The world's biggest soybean buyer is trying to reduce its heavy reliance on oilseed imports as the pandemic, rising trade tensions and more frequent climate disasters raise concerns about the nutrition of 1.4 billion people. In its annual rural policy plan, known as "Document No. 1", China's State Council, Cabinet of Ministers, reaffirmed the recently announced goal of increasing grain production capacity by 50 million tons, compared to the current production of more than 650 million tons. It will aim to boost corn yields, further support wheat farmers, and "vigorously" promote rapeseed production, as well as lesser-known oilseeds such as camellia, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported. It will also accelerate the commercialization of ...