|
|
 |
|
|
|
China's Shrinking Grain Harvest: How It Will Affect Food Prices
|
|
|
Location:
1350 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 403, Washington, District of Columbia, 20036, United States
Contact person:
Reah Janise Kauffman
Organization:
Earth Policy Institute
Website:
http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/Update36.htm
|
Language(s):
English
Media:
Article or paper, Website
Fax:
202.496.9325
|
Specialty:
Legal Services, Marketing
Phone:
202.496.9290
Last updated:
April 13, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description:
Free on website, includes data
By Lester Brown
On February 8th, the Chinese government announced an emergency appropriation, increasing its agricultural budget by 25 percent, or roughly $3 billion. The additional funds primarily will be used to raise support prices for wheat and rice, the principal food staples, and to improve irrigation infrastructure. For the State Council to approve such an increase outside of the normal budget-making process indicates the government's mounting concern about food security.
After a remarkable expansion of grain output from 90 million tons in 1950 to 392 million tons in 1998, China's grain harvest has fallen in four of the last five years--dropping to 322 million tons in 2003. For perspective, this drop of 70 million tons exceeds the entire grain harvest of Canada.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Permalink:
http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Materials/81688-9/c
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
