URUMQI, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region plans to increase its grain storage capability this year, with new facilities scheduled to be built with a total storage capacity of 500,000 tonnes.

The grain output in Xinjiang reached a record high of 20 million tonnes in 2023, an increase of over 3 million tonnes from 2022.

The regional food and strategic reserves bureau said that at least 50 high-standard granaries equipped with advanced technologies, management methods and functions, and a batch of modern demonstration granaries are expected to be established. The logistics system of grain storage will be improved and the technologies of grain storage will also be enhanced.

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

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