 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| . |  |
. |
China looks abroad amid global grain shortage: report
Beijing (AFP) April 29, 2008 China is looking at farms in places like Russia and South America as it seeks new ways to feed the world's largest population amid a global grain supply shortage, state media said Tuesday. Chinese companies exploring overseas agricultural resources that are in short supply will help balance domestic demand and supply, the Beijing Morning Post reported, citing the agriculture ministry. Xie Guoli, a senior trade promotion official with the ministry, told the paper China had built up its agricultural technology know-how and the government would in the future enhance policy support for such initiatives. "Developing the rich water and soil resources in regions like South America, Australia and Russia can lower Chinese companies' production costs," said Zhang Xichen, head of the Suntime Group, which runs agriculture projects with Mexico and Cuba. The newspaper said soaring international grain prices and the record high domestic inflation rate were the main factors behind the drive. Grain prices have risen by 60 percent on the global market in the first three months of the year, adding to inflationary pressure in China. Inflation in the first quarter hit a near 12-year high of 8.0 percent, the report said. Another problem that is worsening the situation is shrinking farm land in China, where rapidly growing cities are turning traditional farming areas into industrial zones or residential areas. Official data showed that the amount of arable land fell by 40,700 hectares (100,500 acres) to 121.73 million hectares last year, getting closer to the "critical" level of 120 million hectares Beijing has vowed to retain. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Farming Today - Suppliers and Technology
Concerns resurface over Italian mozzarella as farms quarantined
Rome (AFP) April 29, 2008Health concerns over Italian mozzarella cheese resurfaced on Tuesday as more than 100 buffalo farms around Naples were quarantined amid fears of potential dioxin contamination, the government said. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
