China will continue its efforts to boost agricultural production by developing technology and investing in rural infrastructure, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at the fifth session of the?11th National People's Congress on Monday.

"We will continue to carry out activities to steadily increase grain production," said Premier Wen Jiabao. "We will continue increase agricultural subsidies…and improve the mechanism for subsidizing major growing areas," he added.

The central government this year plans to allocate 1.2287 trillion yuan ($192 billion), an increase of 186.8 billion yuan from last year, for developing the agricultural industry, rural areas and improving farmers' livelihood.

"With these funds we will build and upgrade water-saving facilities in irrigated areas…and vigorously develop water-efficient agriculture," Wen said.

In the meantime, the government will also promote innovations in agricultural science and technology and increase support for their research and development,?Wen said.

"We will improve the system for subsidizing agricultural technologies and encourage farmers to use advanced and appropriate agricultural technologies," he added.

According to the Report on Central and Local Budget for 2012, released by the Ministry of Finance on Monday, the ministry will earmark 10.1 billion yuan, 53 percent up from last year, to increase funding for agricultural science and technology. This investment will support scientific and technological developments in areas including modern seed industry, the ministry said.