Shandong, one of the major grain-producing provinces in China, is playing an important role in securing basic food self-sufficiency and providing a steady supply of high-quality agricultural products.

The total value of Shandong's agricultural output was 1.02 trillion yuan ($158 billion) in 2020, becoming the first province in China with a total agricultural output value exceeding one trillion yuan.

An aerial photo shows wheat harvest season in Shandong province. [Photo/iqilu.com]

Located in the Yellow River Basin, Shandong has abundant water, vast plains, and temperate temperatures, providing favorable conditions for agricultural development.

In 2020, Shandong's total grain output was 54.47 million tons, an increase of 898,000 tons over the previous year and the highest in China.

The province's output of grain, meat, fruits, vegetables, aquatic products, and peanuts account for 8 percent, 9 percent, 10 percent, 11 percent, 13 percent, as well as 16 percent of China's total respectively.

Chinese green onion planting is a pillar industry in Zhangqiu district, Jinan, Shandong and dates back to 2,600 years. [Photo/VCG]

Shandong is also recognized as the "vegetable basket" of China.

Shouguang in Shandong is China's largest vegetable production base, as well as vegetable distribution and price-setting center. Every minute, more than 8,000 kilograms of vegetables from Shouguang are sold at home and abroad.

The planting of green onions in Zhangqiu district, Jinan dates back to 2,600 years ago. The total plantation area for green onions in Zhangqiu reached 120,000 mu (8,000 hectares) in 2020, with an annual output of 600 million kilograms of onions worth more than 700 million yuan.

The province is also working to improve its marine ranches. It is currently home to 79,000 hectares of marine ranches, generating more than 250 billion yuan in income in 2020.