71.   However, the amount of arable land per capita is declining, and the rampant development of cultivable land is widespread, he said.

72.   In a bid to tackle the shortages the authorities have tried to increase the area of arable land used for cereal crops.

73.   In addition, leftover landmines prevent farmers in traditionally agrarian countries from using arable land.

74.   In the natural resources category, however, territorial size is measured according to arable land, mineral reserves and water.

75.   It called on local cadres to boost funds for agricultural development and ensure that speculative real-estate projects do not gobble up arable land.

76.   Industrialisation will also reduce the amount of arable land, damage bio-diversity and threaten the traditional way of life of indigenous populations, the report said.

77.   Arab states have been reeling under a heavy bill of import of most kinds of food products despite their vast arable land.

78.   At the same time the amount of arable land is declining.

79.   Beijing issued regulations on Thursday to prevent officials from approving construction projects that destroy arable land.

80.   But critics are raising an outcry that golf courses eat away arable land, pose environmental hazards and stoke public resentment against the rich.