China underlines stable agricultural production amid challenges

Special importance should be attached to the poultry sector after the bitter loss caused by the H7N9 avian flu virus, the statement said.

It was proposed at the meeting that central finances will also provide short-term subsidies for loans by the key poultry processing enterprises, so as to mitigate damage caused by the virus.

H7N9 has killed at least 31 people thus far since it was first detected in Shanghai in March.

Fearing a bird flu outbreak, the Chinese government ordered the culling of poultry in some areas and the safe disposal of the animals in order to prevent them from entering the food chain as well as the feed chain.

Meanwhile, the cabinet demanded the recovery of agricultural production in the quake-stricken area as soon as possible. Sichuan has been serving as China's major pig raising base.

The repair of facilities and farmland and the restoration of crops and livestock should be speeded up, with central and local support, it said.

The meeting also covered policies to optimize funds supporting agriculture for more profound farming development and secure the livelihoods of people with low incomes.

The government demanded all local authorities enhance the farming sector, so as to guarantee sustaining output and supply of major farm produce, increase the pace of agricultural reform and innovation, help curb inflation and improve living standards in rural areas.

Food prices account for about one-third of the prices used to calculate the consumer price index, a main gauge of inflation, which rose 2.1 percent year on year in March, down from a 10-month high of 3.2 percent in February.