Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has urged local authorities to secure the country's food security in seeking commercial vigor and momentum to keep stable economic growth.
Wen made the remarks during a visit to northeast China's Jilin Province from July 25 to July 27, saying the priority for local governments was to implement economic policies set by the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.
In visiting a village in Jiutai City on Saturday, Premier Wen told local farmers that the government would gradually increase the purchase price of corn from farmers to encourage more production.
Premier Wen said producing fuel ethanol with agricultural byproducts was necessary and encouraged a local company to make more technological breakthroughs to convert straw into grain alcohol.
But he also stressed that government should prevent blind mass investment in the conversion business since the country's food security was always the top priority.
