A farmer smiles at he holds a bundle of saline-alkali tolerant rice and a sickle in Weifang, East China's Shandong province, on Oct 16, 2020. (Photo/Xinhua)

China's total rice growing area will remain above 30 million hectares, while annual production will be maintained above 200 million metric tons, said Han Changfu, minister of agriculture and rural affairs.

More preferential policies, incentives and compensation will be rolled out to protect major rice-planting regions and keep farmers motivated.

China will accelerate development of high-quality farmland, improve agricultural equipment, logistics and storage, and enhance protection of black soil in Northeast China, Han said at the opening ceremony of the 3rd International Rice Festival of China in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on Sunday.

He said efforts will continue to reduce the use of chemicals and pesticides while increasing their efficient use. Mechanization of the industry will also be promoted and emerging industries such as tourism will be fostered, he said.

Market demand will be monitored to help adjust rice planting schedules. The ministry will also strive to cut back losses and waste in the industrial food chain, he said.

Han added that the ministry will step up efforts to establish and promote a number of domestic rice brands.

China has 20 percent of the world's rice planting areas and produces nearly 40 percent of the global supply, according to the ministry.