BEIJING, CHINA — China is picking up its pace of approvals for genetically modified corn seed and soybean varieties as it seeks to bolster domestic production and reduce its reliance on imports to meet food needs.

The world’s biggest buyer of corn and soybeans has given its assent to 27 GM corn seed varieties and three GM soybean varieties as it expands its list of approvals to increase the development and planting of high-yielding crops, Reuters reported, citing the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

The varieties approved by the ministry in a notice issued on March 19 include seed varieties owned by Dabeinong 002385.SZ and China National Seed Group, a unit of Syngenta Group.

China has for many years moved cautiously on the deployment of GM crops, but in January said it will expand the planting of GM soybeans and corn after pilot projects showed good results in improving yields and lowering costs compared to conventional types of seeds.

The nation of 1.4 billion people is striving to raise domestic production and improve food security through higher yielding seeds and reduce its grain imports of more than 100 million tonnes a year.

The list of approved varieties is open for public comment until April 17, according to the ministry.