The largest and most efficient agricultural producer in Xinjiang is the Production and Construction Corps (PCC). The Statistical Bureau of the PCC recently held a press conference regarding developments during the first half of 2008, announcing the PCC had adjusted the structure of its agricultural industry. Planted acreage to grains and oilseeds had been increased, while cotton and sugarbeet acreage had been reduced. It was stated that the PCC sowed 222,800 hectares to grain in 2008, up 35.8 percent from the previous year. Summer grain acreage was up 47 percent to 127,740 hectares, with total grain output expected to increase 20.4 percent to 664,100 tons. Acreage planted to oilseeds was 68,873 hectares, up 75.6 percent from a year ago. Data for cotton and sugarbeets was not released; however, the conference did confirm a trend toward the production of crops other than cotton.

Source: globecotnews