A five year target timeline has been set, in which fertilizer and pesticide usage are capped, with irrigation water usage expected to rise 3 per cent from the current 52 per cent, Agricultural Minister Han Changfu said last week.

Official statistics show at least 16 per cent of China's soil contains more pollutants than national standards allow; less than one third of fertilizers and pesticides are absorbed by crops; less than two thirds of plastic film is recycled; less than half of livestock and poultry waste is processed; and straw burning is still widespread.

Mr. Changfu said that manure and waste, agricultural films and crop straw resources should be managed properly to achieve eco-friendly farming.