(Yicai Global) Feb. 23 -- China, the world’s largest soybean consumer, needs to expand production of soybeans and edible oil crops to reduce its dependency on imports, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said today.

While China produces enough soybeans to meet the needs of edible consumption, it still has to import large quantities which are mainly used to make edible oils and animal fodder, Tang Renjian said. Last year the nation produced 16.4 million tons of soybeans and imported 96.5 million tons, mainly from Brazil, the US and Argentina.

China still needs another five to 10 years of efforts for it to be more self-sufficient in soybeans, Tang said.

In order to achieve this, the planting area in the northeast of the country must be increased. Where conditions allow, it should carry out mixed planting of soybeans and corn, which is a new technique that produces more soybeans while ensuring the yield of corn. And it should also grow more edible oil crops, such as rape, peanuts and tea-seed oil, that can be used as a substitute for soybeans.

A number of provinces are planning to increase their soybean planting area this year, Yicai Global learned. Heilongjiang province is proposing to add 666,666 hectares to boost production by 1.3 million tons. And central Shaanxi province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has said it will carry out compound planting of soybeans and corn on 53,000 hectares of land as a demonstration.

Editor: Kim Taylor