China hopes to increase soybean production 60 percent by the year 2020, according to targets published by the nation’s agriculture ministry. Pro Farmer’s First Thing Today reports China aims to increase soybean production to 19 million metric tons, compared to last year’s 12 million metric ton soybean production. This comes as the ministry works to meet rising protein demand for food and as the country is attempting to reduce corn acreage and stocks. A Chinese market-analysis firm says reaching the target will be difficult because, under current circumstances, farmers may not be willing to grow more soybeans as they make no money from growing the crop. Cheap imports have eroded Chinese soybean prices, and high feed demand is likely to maintain the country’s need for high soybean imports in the years ahead.