China's ten departments will jointly launch nationwide spot checks on grain stockpiles, said State Administration of Grain administrator Nie Zhenbang Monday.

The move aims to clarify the condition of the national grain reserves and facilitate further grain management, Nie said.

The spot checks will be carried out by ten departments including National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Supervision, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture, National Audit Office and State Administration of Grain.

It is expected to start from mid-May in ten major grain-producing provinces, including Hebei, Shanxi, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, Guangdong, Sichuan and Shaanxi.

Last year China achieved bumper harvests the fifth-year running.

(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2009)