The World Bank has approved a $5.1 million (£3m) grant to support “climate smart” crop production in China.

China’s intensive crop production relies on high and inefficient use of fertilisers, pesticides and irrigation water inputs, the Bank said. There are also unsustainable crop production practices, which includes straw burning, flood irrigation and low rates of organic residue return to soil, it added.

As a result, China’s crop production is responsible for “significant” greenhouse gas emissions.

The Climate Smart Staple Crop Production Project aims to promote low carbon production techniques and practices in two counties.

Nathan Belete, World Bank Agricultural Practice Manager said: “By introducing the new concept of climate smart agriculture, this project aims to achieve triple wins in China’s agricultural intensification process – mitigate climate impacts of crop production, improve climate resilience of crop production systems and maintain and improve crop productivity.”