Xinhua News Agency:

Transforming saline-alkaline land into high-yield plots is a major highlight of the work in Hebei. What has Hebei done in treating saline-alkaline land? And what measures will it take this year? Thank you.

Wang Zhengpu:

Thank you to the journalist from Xinhua. Saline-alkaline land is an important aspect of the agricultural work for Hebei. Treating and utilizing saline-alkali land is of great importance to China's national food security. Hebei has a large area of saline-alkaline land. In 2011, Hebei had 10.68 million mu of such land, accounting for 12% of its total farmland. Through our treatment work over more than a decade with measures such as irrigation and water conservancy as well as biological treatment, the area of saline-alkaline land has continued to decrease, demonstrating the great achievements made by Hebei in treating and utilizing saline-alkaline land. 

During his inspection tour of Cangzhou in May last year, General Secretary Xi Jinping issued important instructions, requiring us to make great efforts to develop agriculture featuring saline-alkaline land. Hebei province has resolutely implemented the instructions and taken measures in five aspects in the past year. First, we collected information through technical means and field surveys to determine the quantity, types and distribution of saline-alkaline land. According to our findings, there is currently 5.83 million mu of saline-alkaline land, mainly distributed in Cangzhou, Zhangjiakou and Tangshan. Second, we relied on scientific support. We formed a team of experts to tackle technical challenges, with the aim of making improvements through a combination of water management and soil treatment. Last year, we completed transformation of 180,000 mu of saline-alkaline land. Third, we promoted high-quality crop varieties. We adhere to the principle of developing new varieties suitable for saline-alkaline land and continuing development of facilities for irrigation and water conservancy to reduce salinity and alkalinity. Last year, Huanghua's drought and saline-alkaline-tolerant wheat was listed on the national list of local specialties by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Fourth, we conducted pilot demonstration programs. We carried out 13 pilot projects tailored to local conditions to explore different industry models and planting patterns. Last year, Hebei province was included in the national pilot program for comprehensive utilization of saline-alkaline land. Fifth, we explored roads to prosperity. We guided leading enterprises in developing deep-processing industries, nurtured well-known brands, promoted the development of industrial chains, and achieved a triple win scenario — whereby farmers earn income, companies gain profit and the market accepts the products. Hebei's saline-alkaline land has produced many distinctive agricultural products, turning what was once a disadvantage into an advantage. These products are of high-quality and suitable for people to eat, making their way into major supermarkets in Beijing and Tianjin. For example, colorful steamed buns from Tangshan and Cangzhou, a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage, are made of drought-tolerant wheat from Cangzhou, and have received widespread acclaim from consumers. 

Moving forward, Hebei will vigorously implement a strategy of sustainable farmland use and the innovative application of agricultural technology to increase farmland productivity. We will focus on key tasks such as the development and promotion of saline-alkaline tolerant crop varieties, soil improvement, specialty industry zone construction, large-scale development and industrialized management. A series of supporting policies and measures will be implemented to tap into the potential of saline-alkaline land development and utilization, maximizing the value of saline-alkaline land through special agriculture. Thank you.