China expecting bumper summer grain harvest

HEFEI - China will reap a bumper 2012 harvest of summer grain crops, mainly wheat and early-season rice, Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu forecast Thursday in Hefei.

The haul of summer grain is crucial to boost the entire year's grain production, Han said while addressing a wheat harvest launching ceremony in Anhui province.

Meanwhile, output per hectare may hit a record high, said Han without giving specific numbers. He predicted in early March that the crop yield will top 120 million tons this summer, 2.5 million tons more than a year ago.

Also at the ceremony, Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu said securing a good harvest of summer grain crops will help ensure supplies of farm produce and will be of great importance to promoting sound economic and social development.

Hui called for efforts to be stepped up to boost the harvest.

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