In the midst of a severe economic downturn, attention tends to focus on how to strengthen the nation's industrial sector. But attention also should be paid to agricultural policies. Agricultural administration is directly related to food safety and agricultural development can not only increase employment opportunities but also play an important role in building a low-carbon society that protects the environment.
The agriculture ministry's 2008 white book on agriculture touches on subjects such as how to increase the food self-sufficiency rate, ensure food safety, turn agriculture into a high value-added sector, protect agricultural resources and revitalize agricultural villages.
The white book begins with a self-examination regarding the national scandal last year in which contaminated imported rice was sold for human consumption. It says the ministry is pushing reform in earnest so that each ministry worker will seriously consider the interest of consumers and have a strong determination to promote food safety.