To promote rural vitalization and become an even stronger agricultural province, Shandong province will increase grain yield per unit area, construct a diversified food supply system and strengthen support for agricultural science and technology this year.

"Shandong is a large agricultural province with a solid foundation and outstanding advantages," said Zhang Hongqi, secretary of the Party Leadership Group and director of the Shandong Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

The total grain output of Shandong has been stable at more than 100 billion catties for nine consecutive years. The output of grain, vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, milk, and aquatic products ranks among the top in China. The total output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery reached 1.2 trillion yuan ($174.48 billion) in 2022, ranking first in the country, and there are nearly 10,000 agricultural product processing enterprises above designated size. 

Shandong will use production-increasing technology to create demonstration fields, tap the potential of saline-alkali land and explore new ways to boost grain production in the Yellow River region.

Liang Kailong, deputy director of the Department of Science and Technology of Shandong province, said the province has supported the training and development of more than 20 innovative seed enterprises. "We will focus on key technologies such as increasing grain income and reducing losses."

Shandong is also accelerating the construction of infrastructure, improving public services, and developing industries that enrich the people in the countryside according to local conditions.

By the end of 2022, the province's rural road network had reached 262,600 kilometers. This year, it plans to complete 7,000 kilometers of new and upgraded rural roads and upgrade 300 old bridges.