Wen made the remarks at an International Conference on Agricultural Science and Technology which opened yesterday in Beijing.

"We must face the arduous global situation -- the world is confronted with rising populations and the deterioration of eco-systems, and some developing countries are still suffering from food shortages.

"All nations and international organizations are responsible for helping solve these issues through agricultural technology," said Wen, who is also the chairman of the conference.

China has conducted agricultural exchanges with 100 countries and regions. The country welcomes foreign cooperation in staff training, joint research collaboration and technology imports, he said.

To boost its agriculture, China will concentrate on developing technology for popularizing high-yield crop seeds, promoting water-saving agricultural production techniques, protecting natural forests and preventing sandstorms and desertification, Wen said.

President Jiang Zemin, when meeting the international agricultural scientists attending the conference, stressed the "revolutionary" role of high technologies which feature modern biological and gene technologies in agricultural development.

He said he hopes agricultural scientists in various countries will join hands to help people in poverty-ridden areas of the world.

Jamal M. Ahmed, chief representative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to China, voiced high appreciation of China's agricultural policies and technological progress.

"China has made outstanding achievements in promoting sustainable development through science and technology... Its grain production increased nearly 500 million tons in less than 20 years," said Ahmed.

He added that China's successful experience is worthy of study by other developing countries.

China produces 21 percent of the world grain output on a sown area which accounts for 15 percent of the world total.

It supports 22 percent of the world's population on arable land which constitutes only 10 percent of the world's total, according to Vice-Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu.

The country has bid farewell to the shortage of farm produce and enjoys a basic balance of supply and demand, thanks to the 20 years of reform implementation and technological progress. China has met its commitment in the worldwide campaign to eradicate poverty and famine, Han said.

The three-day international conference, sponsored by the Chinese Government, is also supported by the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization.

Some 1,000 scientists, entrepreneurs and governmental officials from 60 countries and regions will discuss agricultural prospects in the new century.

(China Daily November 8, 2001)