Chinese Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu has called on local governments and farmers to boost the country's capacity of grain production.

During his six-day inspection of northeast China's Jilin Province, one of the country's major grain-producing areas, the vice-premier said China should redouble its efforts to ensure a good autumn harvest.

The vice premier, who oversees the country's agricultural sector, said China's grain supply can not meet the need despite good summer harvest and bumper harvest of early rice.

China will beef up agricultural infrastructure construction with water conservancy as the core and comprehensive agricultural development, he said.

He stressed the need to maintain stable grain prices, while curbing excessive increase of prices of the products needed for farming.

It has been reported that market prices of some grain in some part of the country are below the mininum prices set by the central government to encourage grain production.

During his tour of Jilin from August 18 to 23, the vice premier visited farmers and discussed with farmers and local officials on ways to stabilize grain production.

(Xinhua News Agency August 25, 2005)