BEIJING -- Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu said Friday that China should not lower its guard over grain production this year even though its grain output has risen for eight consecutive years.

"We can't treat this year's grain production situation too lightly," Han told a press conference on the sidelines of the annual parliamentary session.

The cautious message delivered by the minister came after China's grain output marked eight consecutive years of growth, hitting a record high of 571.21 million tonnes last year.

"The bigger the grain output we get, the more we have to stabilize growth," Han said, adding that rising costs will have a direct impact on farmers' willingness to plant crops.

The agriculture minister warned that uncertainties in weather and grain prices in the market may threaten the country's grain production this year.

He said it is of great significance for China to stabilize grain output and raise farmers' income this year to keep prices stable with guaranteed grain supply.

"How to avoid a decline in grain output this year is an important issue," Han said.

The main goals for 2012 include keeping the grain output above 525 million tonnes and marking a 7-percent increase in farmers' income.

A generally-accepted food security line for Chinese would be ensuring an annual per capita grain output of 400 kilograms in China, which is home to about 1.3 billion people, he said.

To realize the country's grain production goal this year, Han said the ministry  will rely more on scientific and technological innovations in agriculture and train more agricultural talents in rural areas.