Published by ChinaMNC · Yitongmanzu
Jilin Province Issues New Measures to Support Comprehensive Straw Utilization
A guide for foreign founders on Jilin Province's new policy measures supporting comprehensive straw utilization, including subsidies for straw returning, feed processing, and collection systems.
Jilin Province Issues New Measures to Support Comprehensive Straw Utilization
Foreign founders operating agricultural or agri-processing businesses in northeast China should note a new policy notice issued by the General Office of the Jilin Provincial People's Government. The notice, titled "Notice on Issuing Several Measures to Support Comprehensive Straw Utilization in Jilin Province" (Document No. Ji Zheng Ban Gui [2026] No. 1), was dated August 15, 2026, and released on August 25, 2026. It sets out a series of measures aimed at improving the comprehensive use of straw, strengthening long-term utilization mechanisms, and supporting the straw industry. The document was distributed to municipal and county governments, the Changbai Mountain Management Committee, provincial departments, and relevant central agencies stationed in Jilin.
Background and Policy Objectives
The measures are framed as part of implementing ecological civilization principles, addressing issues identified in central ecological and environmental protection inspections, accelerating the straw industry, and safeguarding food and ecological security. For foreign founders assessing opportunities in Jilin's agricultural sector, the notice signals provincial priorities in straw collection, processing, and utilization, with specific subsidy arrangements tied to different uses of straw.
Burning Control Zones
Under the measures, the province designates no-burn zones in accordance with the Ecological Environment Code of the People's Republic of China and related rules. These zones cover areas within one kilometer of railways, expressways, national and provincial trunk roads, and airports, within 50 meters of forest edges, and plots under conservation tillage. County-level governments are to pre-designate conservation tillage no-burn zones each year, with the ability to adjust them dynamically. Open burning of straw is prohibited in these zones. Areas outside them are limited-burn zones, where controlled burning is to be managed in a scientific and orderly manner. The Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment, together with relevant departments, is to complete a "one map" of no-burn zones and incorporate it into a provincial integrated supervision platform for planned straw burning. Local regulations and systems are to be developed or revised in parallel. Ecological environment departments at all levels are to strengthen supervision, while city and county governments bear primary responsibility for straw burning control.
Subsidies for Straw Returning and Soil Protection
The notice includes several subsidy measures relevant to agricultural operations:
- Black soil protection: Counties in typical black soil areas are supported in implementing black soil protection and utilization projects. Where organic fertilizer made from straw and other materials is applied, subsidies are no less than 150 yuan per mu, based on annual task areas set by the province.
- Conservation tillage: Projects are supported in increasing straw coverage. Where straw coverage exceeds 60 percent, the subsidy ceiling rises to 80 yuan per mu. If one of strip tillage, harrowing-mixing, or deep loosening is also carried out, an additional 25 yuan per mu is provided, raising the ceiling to 105 yuan per mu. Subsidies for coverage below 30 percent are cancelled province-wide, and burned plots are not subsidized after verification.
- Full straw return: Counties with large straw resources may use funds including 20 percent of central awards for super grain-producing counties, comprehensive straw utilization funds, and provincial project funds to carry out straw return operations. For autumn operations such as deep plowing or crushing-mixing of corn straw for full return, or rice paddy mud mixing and dry leveling without water harrowing, the subsidy is 80 yuan per mu.
Straw Collection, Storage, and Processing
County governments are to organize orderly removal of straw from fields, except on plots where straw is returned through conservation tillage, strip tillage, deep plowing, crushing-mixing, or burying. Where mechanical removal is not feasible, such as on sloped or hilly land, manual removal is to be used. The Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs is to strengthen guidance on straw removal in no-burn and limited-burn zones and support baling and transport, with the aim of reducing farmers' removal costs and improving collection efficiency.
Counties with large straw resources may use comprehensive straw utilization funds to build county-level collection, storage, and processing centers, township transfer stations, and village-level temporary storage points in line with the province's construction guidelines for distributed straw collection, storage, and processing centers. Entities implementing projects with large straw consumption—such as green hydrogen, green methanol, feed, biomass combined heat and power, environmentally friendly panels, carbon-based products, and polylactic acid—are supported in building supporting straw collection and processing centers. Construction entities must improve protective measures and implement safety management responsibilities.
Feed, Substrate, and Industrial Uses
Further measures cover other straw uses:
- Feed utilization: Counties may use comprehensive straw utilization funds, grain-producing county funds, cattle and sheep major producing county funds, and grassland ecological protection subsidy and reward funds for straw feed utilization. For yellow storage fermented feed or ruminant compound feed collected, stored, and processed by a single household exceeding 100 tons, the subsidy is 35 yuan per ton of straw. For new, renovated, or expanded yellow (green) storage silos of 500 cubic meters or more, the subsidy is 30 yuan per cubic meter.
- Substrate utilization: Counties with large straw resources may use comprehensive straw utilization funds for substrate use. Where straw is used to make substrates for edible fungi, rice, horticultural crops, and similar products, the subsidy is 60 yuan per ton of straw.
- Industrialization projects: Counties may coordinate regular assistance funds to plan and implement straw comprehensive utilization industrialization projects that fit fund directions and are closely linked to the interests of people at risk of returning to poverty.
Project Planning and Investment Support
The Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, the Provincial Energy Administration, and other departments are to guide localities in planning and reserving projects in line with central budget investment directions. These include green hydrogen, green methanol, biomass combined heat and power, biodegradable new materials, environmentally friendly panels, carbon-based products, and polylactic acid projects, with the aim of seeking central budget investment support. The notice also states that provincial government investment funds will be enhanced for projects related to comprehensive straw utilization.
Implications for Foreign Founders
For foreign founders considering agricultural processing, biomass energy, feed production, or new materials projects in Jilin, the notice outlines the provincial framework for straw utilization and related subsidies. The measures assign responsibilities across provincial departments and local governments, indicating where project approvals and subsidy applications may be coordinated. Foreign investors should examine county-level implementation details, eligibility requirements, and fund availability, and should confirm current rules with local authorities before committing to projects.
This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.
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