How to secure an autumn grain harvest? Scientific disaster resilience must be arranged early

Currently, we are in the critical period of "flood control and drought relief during the late July to early August period," which is also the critical period for autumn grain growth and development and for disaster prevention and mitigation. On July 26, the Ministry of Agriculture held a national on-site meeting in Sichuan on combating disasters to secure an autumn grain harvest, deploying and arranging autumn grain field management work with a focus on disaster prevention and mitigation. Vice Minister of Agriculture Yu Xinrong stressed at the meeting that agricultural departments at all levels must resolutely implement the important instructions of central leaders on grain production, remain unwavering in the goal of stabilizing grain production and increasing income, and, with a high degree of self-awareness and firm confidence, base themselves on combating disasters to secure a harvest, arrange early, respond scientifically, intensify efforts, strengthen measures, solidly carry out the "Strengthen Services, Combat Disasters Scientifically, Secure an Autumn Grain Harvest Action," and go all out to secure an autumn grain harvest and once again deliver an impressive answer sheet.

Yu Xinrong pointed out that the summer grain battle was won first, and early rice had a bumper harvest, boosting confidence in securing another harvest. But the bulk of the year's grain production lies in autumn grain, and there are still many hurdles to pass, making the task of combating disasters to secure a harvest arduous. At present, it is necessary to closely monitor and scientifically assess the adverse effects of the El Nino event on autumn grain production. Prepare early for preventing autumn-to-early-autumn drought, high-temperature heat damage, early frost in Northeast China, and the "cold dew wind" in the South. At the same time, it is necessary to prevent major migratory and epidemic pests and diseases such as rice planthoppers, rice leaf rollers, rice blast, corn borers, and potato late blight.

Yu Xinrong stressed that agricultural timing is urgent and the task of disaster prevention and mitigation is arduous. Agricultural departments at all levels must strengthen guidance and services, highlight scientific and technological disaster resilience, advance region by region, implement measure by measure, link each step closely, yield not an inch, and never relax in grasping autumn grain production. First, grasp "seizing" to ensure area. In the double-season late rice regions of the South, it is necessary to coordinate machinery, accelerate early rice harvesting, promptly clear stubble and transplant, achieve timely transplanting, win time for safe full heading, and strive to keep the area stable at last year's level. Second, grasp "management" to raise per-unit yield. Formulate technical plans by region, by crop, and by season, solidly advance high-yield grain creation and yield-increasing model research, accelerate the implementation of regional standardized high-yield and high-efficiency technologies, and promote balanced yield increases over large areas. Third, grasp "resilience" to ensure safety. Northeast China should focus on preventing autumn drought and early frost, with emphasis on "seizing accumulated temperature and promoting early maturity" to ensure safe maturation; the South should focus on preventing low-temperature overcast rain and the "cold dew wind" to ensure safe full heading; the Huang-Huai-Hai summer corn production area should focus on preventing summer and autumn drought to ensure safe maturation; and the Northwest and Southwest should focus on preventing drought and low-temperature overcast rain, preserving soil moisture and seedlings, and increasing temperature to promote vigorous growth. Fourth, grasp "prevention" to reduce losses. Give full play to the role of 1209 regional stations for major pest and disease forecasting, organize plant protection personnel to go deep into fields to inspect pest conditions, monitor promptly and accurately, vigorously carry out unified prevention and control, joint prevention and joint control, and mass prevention and mass control, and resolutely curb outbreaks and epidemics of pests and diseases.