BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- China' political advisors discussed soil protection along the black earth belt in northeastern China during a bi-weekly consultation session Thursday.

According to a statement issued after the session presided over by Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), political advisors agree that protection of the black earth belt is vital to China's food security and the sustainable use of its land and agricultural resources.

The black earth region of northeast China, one of the world's

three-largest fertile areas, now accounts for about one fifth of China's total grain production.

However, excessive reclamation over the years has significantly reduced the fertility of the black earth belt.

Earlier reports quoted a senior Chinese geologist as saying China will lose all of its black earth topsoil in 50 years without proper protection.

Political advisors suggested that the country should incorporate black earth protection into its 13th Five-Year Plan, push forward circular agriculture and advance reforms on the rural property right system.

They also called for technological innovations and urged the central authorities to increase financial support for black earth protection.