The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced the 2017 low-tariff rate import quotas for wheat, maize and rice. The quota for wheat has been set at 9.6 million tonnes, maize 7.2 million tonnes, and rice 5.3 million tonnes. These volumes are the same as in the past few years. The Government generally charges high import duties on agricultural products, to protect farmers from cheaper imports. However, under its WTO commitments it is obliged to allow a certain amount of imports at lower duties. The low-tariff rate is 1 percent while cereals imported outwith the quota are subject to a 65 percent import duty.