July 24 — Zhang Xingwang, deputy minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, told
a State Council press briefing that summer grain is the first season of annual
grain production and accounts for roughly 20% of annual grain output. Summer
grain makes up nearly half of China’s staple grain (primarily wheat and rice); a
strong summer harvest is therefore critical to ensuring food security for 1.4
billion people and gives China greater control over annual grain supply.
