Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region plans to increase its grain storage capacity this year, with new facilities scheduled to be built with a total storage capacity of 500,000 tonnes.

Grain production in Xinjiang reached a record 20 million tons in 2023, an increase of more than 3 million tons from 2022.

The Regional Bureau of Food and Strategic Reserves said at least 50 high-standard granaries equipped with advanced technology, management methods and functions are expected to be established, as well as a batch of modern demonstration granaries. The grain storage logistics system and grain storage technologies will also be improved.

Meanwhile, the region will further improve grain quality inspection and monitoring and strengthen emergency support measures for grain supplies.

Mu Huiyuan, deputy director of the bureau, said Xinjiang has built grain storage facilities with a total capacity of 14 million tons. Among them, 74 percent of these facilities have adopted environmentally friendly grain storage technologies, such as low-temperature storage and non-chemical pest control.