North China's Shanxi province will continue to promote the construction of agricultural platforms and 10 industrial clusters for the intensive and deep processing of agricultural products during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), according to a press conference by the Shanxi Provincial Government on Dec 9.

According to the plan, Shanxi will accelerate the construction of the fruit export platforms in Yuncheng and Linfen, grain export platform in Xinzhou, meat export platform in Datong, traditional Chinese medicine trade platform in the Taihang Mountains, and dried fruit trade platform in the Lyuliang Mountains, promoting more quality agricultural products outside of Shanxi and overseas.

The industrial clusters of breweries, dairy products, meat products and fruit, which have sound industrial foundations, will accelerate the transformation of traditional craftsmanship into modern industrial production.

Shanxi will accelerate the establishment of a standards system for beverages, staple food, cakes, and traditional Chinese medicine industrial clusters, as well as improve their brand influence.

For functional food, dietary supplements, and cosmetics industrial clusters that are still in their infancy, Shanxi will strengthen key technology research, introduce and cultivate leading companies, and support the development of natural, functional and high-end products. 

By the end of 2025, the province aims to generate 210 billion yuan ($33 billion) in output value among the 10 industrial clusters.

In addition, during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Shanxi will enhance its comprehensive grain production capacity, integrate agricultural machinery operation technologies, promote the construction of high-standard farmlands and post-construction management and protection, and increase training for farmers.

By the end of 2025, the province will seek to ensure that the comprehensive grain production capacity exceeds 13.65 metric tons, the crop cultivation and harvesting mechanization rate reaches 77 percent, and the high-standard farmlands exceed 6,933 square kilometers, as well as train 400,000 farmers.