Nationwide drought eases to below multi-year average for the same period, autumn grain production outlook favorable
Although localized drought in Northeast China is still relatively severe, the drought is noticeably lighter than the same period last year and below the multi-year average for the same period of 120 million mu. The Ministry of Agriculture and the China Meteorological Administration, after joint consultation, concluded that although the current drought has affected autumn grain production in some areas, the growth progress of autumn grain in most major production areas in Northeast China and the Yangtze
Although localized drought in Northeast China is still relatively severe, the drought is noticeably lighter than the same period last year and below the multi-year average for the same period of 120 million mu. The Ministry of Agriculture and the China Meteorological Administration, after joint consultation, concluded that although the current drought has affected autumn grain production in some areas, the growth progress of autumn grain in most major production areas in Northeast China, the Yangtze River basin and other regions is normal, and the crops are generally growing well. In drought-affected provinces, corn and other autumn grain crops in unaffected areas are growing well and can offset some of the losses from the disaster.
Recently, significant rainfall occurred in the drought-affected areas of Northeast China and the Huang-Huai region. This rainfall event was very favorable for alleviating the current drought, and the nationwide drought-affected crop area decreased by nearly 20 million mu. As of the end of August, statistics showed that the nationwide drought-affected crop area was 65.79 million mu, mainly distributed in Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Hebei and other places.
According to a notice from the Office of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, during this round of rainfall, the average rainfall in Liaoning, Jilin, Henan and Hubei reached 35 mm, 32 mm, 23 mm and 43 mm respectively, and the nationwide drought-affected crop area decreased by 18.16 million mu compared with before the rainfall, of which Liaoning decreased by 6.95 million mu, Henan decreased by 6.16 million mu, Jilin decreased by 2.70 million mu and Hubei decreased by 1.55 million mu.
However, Liaoning is still the province with the more severe drought at present. The Liaoning Provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters stated that the drought in Liaoning is still very severe, with 358,000 people and 82,000 large livestock in the province facing drinking water difficulties due to the drought. According to forecasts from the meteorological department, precipitation in Liaoning will continue to be below normal in the near term, and the drought is very likely to change from a summer dog-day drought to a continuous summer-autumn drought.
In response to the drought, Liaoning has given play to the role of the grassroots water conservancy service system, organizing and mobilizing 905 water-related townships across the province and 45 county-level drought relief technical service teams to go deep into the fields to actively carry out drought relief and disaster reduction. Up to now, the province has cumulatively completed a first-round drought-relief irrigation area of 9,196,800 mu, and temporarily resolved the drinking water difficulties of 408,800 people and 91,000 large livestock that had arisen earlier.
“These areas in Northeast China are all traditional drought areas, with poor land conditions, and the water-retention capacity of hills and sloping land is relatively weak.” said Pan Wenbo, deputy director of the Planting Industry Department of the Ministry of Agriculture. The crops affected by the drought are mainly corn, of which 86% of the drought-affected area in Liaoning is corn, 90% of the drought-affected area in Jilin is corn, and 50% of the drought-affected area in Inner Mongolia is corn.
Although localized drought in Northeast China is still relatively severe, the current drought is noticeably lighter than the same period last year and also below the multi-year average for the same period of 120 million mu. Data show that the current nationwide drought-affected crop area is more than 65 million mu. In August last year, the drought-affected area in 10 provinces and regions in the Yangtze River basin exceeded 100 million mu. In August 2009, when the drought was relatively severe, the drought-affected area reached 148 million mu.
The Ministry of Agriculture and the China Meteorological Administration, after joint consultation, concluded that the current drought is regional. Although it has affected autumn grain production in some areas, the growth progress of autumn grain in most major production areas in Northeast China, the Yangtze River basin and other regions is normal, and the crops are generally growing well. At present, in the unaffected areas of drought-affected provinces, temperatures are high and sunlight is sufficient, and corn and other autumn grain crops are growing well, which can also offset some of the losses from the disaster.
Pan Wenbo said that the current nationwide autumn grain production situation is relatively good, mainly supported by 3 factors: First, the planted area this year has increased steadily. This year, the planted area of cotton, oil crops and other cash crops has been reduced, and the autumn grain planted area is expected to increase by more than 6 million mu, with high-yield crops such as corn and rice increasing by more than 9 million mu. Second, autumn grain in most areas is growing better than last year. During this year's spring sowing period, meteorological conditions were relatively good, and with the implementation of key technologies in place, the growth progress of autumn grain in most major production areas is normal, and the crops are generally growing well. Third, the drought in some areas since July is regional, and although it has affected autumn grain production in severely drought-affected areas, it will not have an overall impact.
Recently, significant rainfall occurred in the drought-affected areas of Northeast China and the Huang-Huai region. This rainfall event was very favorable for alleviating the current drought, and the nationwide drought-affected crop area decreased by nearly 20 million mu. As of the end of August, statistics showed that the nationwide drought-affected crop area was 65.79 million mu, mainly distributed in Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Hebei and other places.
According to a notice from the Office of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, during this round of rainfall, the average rainfall in Liaoning, Jilin, Henan and Hubei reached 35 mm, 32 mm, 23 mm and 43 mm respectively, and the nationwide drought-affected crop area decreased by 18.16 million mu compared with before the rainfall, of which Liaoning decreased by 6.95 million mu, Henan decreased by 6.16 million mu, Jilin decreased by 2.70 million mu and Hubei decreased by 1.55 million mu.
However, Liaoning is still the province with the more severe drought at present. The Liaoning Provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters stated that the drought in Liaoning is still very severe, with 358,000 people and 82,000 large livestock in the province facing drinking water difficulties due to the drought. According to forecasts from the meteorological department, precipitation in Liaoning will continue to be below normal in the near term, and the drought is very likely to change from a summer dog-day drought to a continuous summer-autumn drought.
In response to the drought, Liaoning has given play to the role of the grassroots water conservancy service system, organizing and mobilizing 905 water-related townships across the province and 45 county-level drought relief technical service teams to go deep into the fields to actively carry out drought relief and disaster reduction. Up to now, the province has cumulatively completed a first-round drought-relief irrigation area of 9,196,800 mu, and temporarily resolved the drinking water difficulties of 408,800 people and 91,000 large livestock that had arisen earlier.
“These areas in Northeast China are all traditional drought areas, with poor land conditions, and the water-retention capacity of hills and sloping land is relatively weak.” said Pan Wenbo, deputy director of the Planting Industry Department of the Ministry of Agriculture. The crops affected by the drought are mainly corn, of which 86% of the drought-affected area in Liaoning is corn, 90% of the drought-affected area in Jilin is corn, and 50% of the drought-affected area in Inner Mongolia is corn.
Although localized drought in Northeast China is still relatively severe, the current drought is noticeably lighter than the same period last year and also below the multi-year average for the same period of 120 million mu. Data show that the current nationwide drought-affected crop area is more than 65 million mu. In August last year, the drought-affected area in 10 provinces and regions in the Yangtze River basin exceeded 100 million mu. In August 2009, when the drought was relatively severe, the drought-affected area reached 148 million mu.
The Ministry of Agriculture and the China Meteorological Administration, after joint consultation, concluded that the current drought is regional. Although it has affected autumn grain production in some areas, the growth progress of autumn grain in most major production areas in Northeast China, the Yangtze River basin and other regions is normal, and the crops are generally growing well. At present, in the unaffected areas of drought-affected provinces, temperatures are high and sunlight is sufficient, and corn and other autumn grain crops are growing well, which can also offset some of the losses from the disaster.
Pan Wenbo said that the current nationwide autumn grain production situation is relatively good, mainly supported by 3 factors: First, the planted area this year has increased steadily. This year, the planted area of cotton, oil crops and other cash crops has been reduced, and the autumn grain planted area is expected to increase by more than 6 million mu, with high-yield crops such as corn and rice increasing by more than 9 million mu. Second, autumn grain in most areas is growing better than last year. During this year's spring sowing period, meteorological conditions were relatively good, and with the implementation of key technologies in place, the growth progress of autumn grain in most major production areas is normal, and the crops are generally growing well. Third, the drought in some areas since July is regional, and although it has affected autumn grain production in severely drought-affected areas, it will not have an overall impact.