Investigation on the "three-in-one" Reform of Agricultural subsidies: those who really grow grain can't get it.

Is the grain subsidy in place?

Editor's note: agricultural subsidy policy plays an important role in stabilizing grain and increasing income. However, with the profound changes in the agricultural and rural situation, the effect and efficiency of the subsidy policy implemented for more than 10 years is decreasing, which urgently needs to be adjusted and improved.

In view of the current practical problems, the state has promoted the reform of agricultural subsidy policy this year, experimenting with merging the "three subsidies" of improved seed subsidies, direct subsidies for growing grain and comprehensive subsidies for agricultural materials into "agricultural support and protection subsidies." Has this new policy been implemented? What are the expectations of grass-roots cadres and masses? Please take a look at the reporter's report from the front line.

1. What do farmers look forward to?

Ordinary farmers do not object to the integration of subsidies to "make the cake bigger", but they are worried about "being cut into the cake". Large farmers hope that the subsidy policy will be more accurate and that "whoever grows more grain will give priority to supporting him".

After the wheat harvest, the corn in the fields of Huaxian County, Henan Province is lush.

"now that it's already July, why haven't the subsidies been issued this year?" On July 16, the reporter heard that many farmers had such misgivings.

According to the guidance issued by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture in May, three subsidies will be "integrated" in the pilot this year, of which 80% of the stock of comprehensive agricultural subsidies, plus direct subsidies for growing grain and subsidies for improved varieties, will be used to protect the fertility of cultivated land. Another 20% of agricultural subsidies, plus subsidies for large grain growers and incremental funds for three subsidies, focus on supporting moderate-scale grain operation. In 2016, the reform will be rolled out nationwide.

So why haven't farmers received the subsidy yet? The responsible person explained that Henan is not a pilot province in the country this year, and the province has not yet approved the new subsidy scheme, and although the money has been put on the county account, it has not yet been issued.

The total grain output of Huaxian County ranks first in Henan Province for 20 years in a row, and it is the first county in wheat production in China. In 2014, the county's three agricultural subsidies totaled 226 million yuan. However, up to now, agricultural subsidies in the county actually reached 154 million yuan in 2015, more than 70 million yuan less than last year. "there may also be a second batch, but at least for now, many farmers do not understand and think that their subsidies have been cut away and given to the big grain growers." A grass-roots cadre said that farmers agreed to integrate other subsidy funds to "make the cake bigger" rather than being "cut."

What is the effect of agricultural subsidies? "according to last year's standards, the total amount of three subsidies per mu of land is 134 yuan." Lu Zhongmin, director of the Huaxian Agricultural Technology extension Center, said that from tax exemption to subsidies, it has played a positive role in increasing grain production and farmers' income. However, with the change of farmers' income structure, the policy effect is decreasing.

"now I go out to work and earn at least 100 yuan a day. In contrast, improved seed subsidies of 20 yuan per mu a year, just like cooking monosodium glutamate, whether to put in the capital. " Chen Jincan, a farmer in Xiaozhai Village, Liugu Town, said that he planted 8 mu of land, and the annual subsidy was enough to buy two bags of urea, which was not very useful. He wants to increase the amount of subsidies, at least "only increase, not decrease".

Can subsidies really be used in agriculture? "when farmers receive subsidies, it is hard to avoid buying vinegar with soy sauce money." Li Shouzhen, deputy general manager of Huafeng seed Industry Company, said that when there was an improved seed subsidy in 2004, the city invited a unified tender, and each county identified three or five seed enterprises. The government first supplied the enterprises, and then the enterprises sold the improved varieties to farmers at a preferential price. The coverage rate of improved varieties in the county reached more than 98%. "since 2008, subsidies for improved varieties have been transferred directly to farmers' accounts, and some people have bought daily necessities, but the coverage of improved varieties has declined."

Why is "replenishing seeds" changed to "subsidizing farmers"? Lu Zhongmin said that in order to "respect the wishes of farmers" this principle. "at that time, seed quality and safety problems occurred in some places, which was also one of the reasons for the change in the way of subsidies."

Others report that those who do not grow grain are subsidized, but those who really grow grain do not get it. Sun Danghui, director of the Ruiyang Grain planting Cooperative, said that they transferred a total of 19000 mu of land and subsidized all the farmers who had flowed out of the land. "whoever grows grain will benefit, but in fact, if the subsidy is given to us, the land rent will certainly go up." He hopes that in the future, the subsidy policy will be more accurate and truly reflect that "those who have more food will give priority to supporting them."

Do any of the big families get subsidies? This is rare, but it is true. Du Huanyong, chairman of Huanyong Farmers' Cooperative in Huaxian County, transferred 2000 mu of land, of which 700mu belonged to the village. According to the agreement, the villagers will subsidize du Huanyong, and in return, he will increase the rent from 1000 yuan per mu to 1000 jin of wheat, equivalent to an increase of more than 100 yuan. "this model is difficult to achieve in other villages, mainly because the relationship between villagers is difficult to coordinate." He is worried that if the subsidy policy is adjusted in the future, the subsidies will be transferred directly to the farmers' accounts, and the subsidies for improved varieties won before will definitely not be available.