BEIJING -- China's Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) has initiated three campaigns to ensure a successful grain harvest for the ninth consecutive year.

The ministry said Wednesday in a statement posted on its website that the first campaign aims at guaranteeing the harvest of summer crops. Farming areas around the country are urged to make special efforts in disease and pest control and natural disaster alleviation.

The other campaigns concern boosting the production of early season rice and ensuring the efficiency of corn seeding in northeastern China, according to the statement.

The MOA said it would send agricultural experts to different farming areas to provide technical guidance.

China's grain output hit a record high of 571.21 million tons in 2011, marking eight consecutive years of growth.