(Yicai Global) March 6 -- China should prioritize food security in  order to avoid price rises amid an economic downturn, the country's  agriculture minister has said at the annual meetings of the National  People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative  Conference, the country's top political advisory body.

China's food yield exceeded 650 million tons for the fourth  straight year in 2018 without any big changes, Minister of Agriculture  and Rural Affairs Han Changfu said. 

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang emphasized the importance of food  security at the opening of the sessions stating that "the food bowls for  nearly 1.4 billion Chinese citizens are firmly in our hands."

This year's food production should  focus on stabilizing three aspects, namely, yield, regions and policy,  Han said, adding that the government will give subsidies for producers  of corn and soybeans and the minimum purchasing price for rice will  remain stable.

Editor: William Clegg