Ministry of Agriculture: Focus on Scientific Drought Relief in Agriculture to Secure a Bumper Autumn Grain Harvest

Since July, the drought in the region north of the Yangtze River has continued to worsen. Leading comrades of the Central Committee have issued a series of important instructions on the current drought relief work, requiring that full efforts be made to carry out the current drought relief work and strive to combat the drought and secure a bumper harvest. On August 7, the Ministry of Agriculture issued an urgent notice requiring conscientious implementation of the important instructions of the leading comrades of the Central Committee and the spirit of the State Council meeting, unremittingly carrying out scientific drought relief in agriculture, further adopting effective measures, and striving to secure a bumper autumn grain harvest. The notice requires:

First, attach great importance to the current drought relief work. In the face of relatively severe drought in some parts of the north, all localities responded promptly, effectively and forcefully, and agricultural drought relief achieved phased results. Most of the drought-stricken areas are expected to receive less rainfall in early August, and the drought will continue to worsen. The current period is critical for the formation of autumn grain crop yields. Agricultural departments at all levels must conscientiously implement the spirit of the important instructions of the central leadership, truly unify their thinking and actions with the decisions and arrangements of the Central Committee, fully recognize the severity and possible persistence of the current drought, further enhance the sense of responsibility and urgency for doing a good job in agricultural drought relief, and resolutely ensure that as long as the drought is not relieved for even one day, drought relief will not stop for even one day, unremittingly carry out agricultural drought relief work, and make every effort to secure a good autumn grain harvest.

Second, firmly uphold the goal of combating drought to secure a bumper harvest without wavering. Since the drought emerged, the Central Committee has increased guidance and support for drought-stricken areas. Party committees and governments in drought-stricken areas have adopted various measures to combat the summer drought, promote autumn grain production and secure a bumper harvest, and ensure drinking water for the people. Drought relief work has been highly effective. Overall, the current national drought situation is generally lighter than in normal years, mainly severe in regional terms, with a relatively large impact on autumn grain output in severely drought-stricken areas, but it will not have an overall impact. All localities must firmly uphold the goal of combating drought to secure a bumper harvest without wavering, strengthen guidance, persist in drought relief, carry out scientific drought relief, effectively implement all disaster relief measures, and strive to ensure that severely drought-stricken areas reduce production less, lightly drought-stricken areas do not reduce production, and non-drought-stricken areas can increase production.

Third, unremittingly advance scientific drought relief in agriculture. Strengthen communication and contact with meteorological, water conservancy and other departments, and closely monitor drought development trends. Carry out the "Strengthen Services, Combat Disasters Scientifically, Secure a Bumper Autumn Grain Harvest Action," and organize experts to formulate and improve technical guidance opinions on drought relief. On August 7, the Ministry of Agriculture once again dispatched 6 working groups and expert groups led by department-level cadres to Henan, Shaanxi, Hebei, Hubei, Liaoning, Heilongjiang and other provinces to guide scientific drought relief and autumn grain production. Drought-stricken areas should continue to organize government officials and agricultural technicians to go deep into drought-stricken areas to carry out work supervision and technical services. For severely affected areas, they should adopt the practice of stationing personnel in assigned areas, implement dedicated guidance and dedicated responsibility, and guide farmers to implement scientific drought relief measures well according to local conditions, timing, soil moisture and crop conditions. Do a good job in the allocation and transportation of seeds, fertilizers, diesel and other agricultural production and disaster relief materials, guide affected farmers to promptly replant short-growth-period crops, and effectively reduce drought disaster losses.

Fourth, make early preparations for autumn and winter drought relief. Closely monitor the drought and soil moisture conditions in severely drought-stricken areas and surrounding areas, organize experts to study and formulate targeted technical routes for autumn and winter planting, promptly allocate and transport drought-tolerant wheat varieties, vigorously carry out deep soil loosening and deep plowing in winter wheat areas, and promote drought relief and ensure autumn and winter planting. Make early preparations for the storage of overwintering forage for animal husbandry in drought-stricken areas of the northwest, and increase efforts to collect and store straw. Strengthen market monitoring, analyze the impact of drought on rising agricultural production costs and falling farmers' incomes, and study and propose policy measures to stabilize grain-growing returns and promote farmers' income growth.