Ministry of Agriculture Deploys Drought Relief and Spring Management Work, Strengthens Guidance and Services to Advance Scientific Drought Relief

"Start of Spring" has passed, and spring field management is unfolding from south to north. Since December last year, most of the northern winter wheat region has had no effective precipitation for more than 60 consecutive days, with temperatures 1-2°C higher than normal, and surface soil moisture in some wheat fields is poor, with signs of drought emerging. According to the China Meteorological Administration, in spring the temperature in the northern winter wheat region is expected to be close to or higher than the same period in normal years, and some areas may experience relatively severe spring drought. On February 13, the Ministry of Agriculture urgently deployed the current drought relief and spring management work, requiring all localities to conscientiously implement the spirit of the national video conference on spring field management and spring plowing preparations, with a high degree of self-awareness and firm confidence, base themselves on fighting disasters to secure a bumper harvest, strengthen responsibility and ensure implementation, and go all out to win the tough battle of drought relief and spring management, so as to gain the initiative for securing a summer grain harvest.

First, strengthen organization and mobilization, and quickly set off an upsurge in spring management. On the high starting point of the "eleventh consecutive increase" in grain production, maintaining a high level of support to stabilize grain output is required by the overall situation of reform and development, and is also a test of the courage of agricultural departments to overcome difficulties. Summer grain is the first battle of the year's grain production, and the main body of summer grain is wheat, which is crucial to ensuring absolute safety of staple food. At present, it is an important period for spring field management. All localities should place drought relief and spring management in the primary position of current agricultural production, arrange and deploy early, do a good job in organization and mobilization, guide farmers not to forget drought relief and seedling protection while buying New Year goods, and not to forget wheat field management while celebrating the New Year. In particular, they should make full use of the opportunity when farmers return home for the New Year and labor is abundant, implement all measures for drought relief and spring management, and quickly set off an upsurge in spring field management.

Second, strengthen guidance and services, and advance scientific drought relief. Organize relevant experts and agricultural technicians to go deep into the fields to inspect seedling conditions, soil moisture conditions, and pest and disease conditions. On this basis, according to the dynamics of drought occurrence and development and the crop growth and development process, formulate targeted technical plans for spring field management by region and by crop, carry out roving technical guidance, and vigorously advance scientific drought relief. In view of different seedling conditions and soil moisture conditions, guide farmers to timely apply green-up water, and truly achieve watering whenever possible and watering as much as should be done. For wheat fields with poor irrigation conditions, adopt agronomic measures such as compaction and hoeing to reduce water evaporation and preserve soil moisture. At the same time, broaden water sources, dig wells and repair canals, improve irrigation conditions, and increase water to supplement soil moisture. Guide farmers to timely carry out intertillage and hoeing after irrigation, prevent diseases and remove weeds, and promote the transformation and upgrading of seedling conditions.

Third, strengthen classified guidance, and implement key technologies. At present, winter wheat in the southwest region is at the jointing stage, and winter wheat in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and southern Huang-Huai region is successively turning green and standing up, which is precisely an important stage for building a reasonable population. According to seedling conditions, growth, and climate characteristics, refine field management plans, strengthen classified guidance, and implement key technologies that emphasize both promotion and control. For weak seedlings of rice stubble wheat and some dryland wheat in the south, seize the favorable opportunity of rising temperatures, do a good job in fertilizer and water regulation and clearing ditches to regulate soil moisture, promote early emergence and rapid growth, promote weak seedlings to become strong, increase spring tillering, and build a reasonable population. For some wheat fields in northern Huang-Huai with somewhat excessive growth and relatively large populations, adopt measures such as compaction and chemical control to suppress upward growth and promote downward growth, and may also appropriately delay applying green-up water and restrain seedling growth to promote strength, preventing later lodging. At the same time, in view of the higher winter temperatures and the situation in some areas where pests and diseases occur early and have a large base, implement moving the threshold forward and suppressing the former to control the latter, with the focus on early prevention and early control and timely prevention and control of stripe rust, fusarium head blight, and aphids, the "two diseases and one pest," and resolutely curb the outbreak and spread of pests and diseases.

Fourth, strengthen supervision and inspection, and ensure implementation of measures. During the spring period, strengthen emergency duty, strengthen drought scheduling, timely release drought information, scientifically assess the impact of drought, and propose targeted measures. For some areas where spring drought develops quickly and has a heavy impact, adopt the form of stationing at points and contracting areas, implement dedicated personnel for guidance and dedicated personnel for responsibility, and guide and assist drought areas in implementing all measures for drought relief and spring management. Organize specialized service organizations for pest and disease control and agricultural machinery to promptly provide farmers with high-quality and efficient services. Do a good job in scheduling agricultural materials such as seeds, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides, strengthen market supervision, and meet the needs of drought relief and spring management.

Fifth, strengthen publicity and guidance, and create a good atmosphere. Increase information reporting and publicity guidance, and promptly reflect and publicize the implementation of drought relief and spring management measures, work progress, and actual results. Pay close attention to and analyze the subsequent impact of drought and the difficulties and problems faced by drought relief and spring management, and put forward targeted policy recommendations. Give full play to the public opinion guiding role of news media, focus on publicizing good experiences, good practices, and good models of drought relief and spring management in various localities, and create a good atmosphere for drought relief and spring management.