China: All Out Efforts Needed To Fight Drought

Across China about 145 million mu crops have been affected by the drought or 40 million mu more than the same period last winter.

The absence of rain in Northern China has created a drought so severe the Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao have ordered all-out efforts to combat the severe drought. The efforts are necessary if the country's vast wheat-growing area is going to have a good summer harvest. The Chinese central government will earmark another 300 million yuan (US$44 million) as drought relief fund in additional to 100 million yuan already allocated. This money will be used to buy agricultural machinery and other production materials. Nationwide, about 145 million mu crops have been affected by the drought or 40 million mu more than the same period last winter. Anti-drought work a priority in an effort to stabilize grain production, increase farmers' income and ensure agricultural production, the State Council said. In local regions, relevant departments were asked to enhance farmland management, mobilize human resources, ensure technology service and enlarge irrigation areas. It is also important to build emergency water resources projects and carry out artificial precipitation to alleviate water shortage and ensure drinking water for both people and livestock. The Ministry of Water Resources will enhance supervision and launch emergency plan when necessary. The Cabinet plans to send working teams to eight drought-hit provinces to discuss anti-drought procedures. The MOA has already sent 12 working teams of experts to the drought-hit provinces, to instruct farmers on drought relief work. Other concerns are the need to supervise and prevent the spread of severe animal diseases and efforts should be made to monitor or combat forestry fire, upgrade anti-disaster ability and avoid casualty.,