Chinese vice premier Hui Liangyu on Thursday told local agricultural
officials to be prepared for natural disasters this year, while
repeating the familiar call to increase grain production and
farmers' income.
Addressing an annual government workshop on spring farming, Hui
Liangyu said the country's agriculture could face more adverse
conditions this year, but local officials must "try every possible
means" to ensure the stable growth of grain products.
"Spring farming is a key issue that determines whether
agricultural development goals can be reached," Hui said during the
conference which was held in Hebi City, in central grain production
base of Henan.
"But we should be clear that climate change is becoming
unpredictable and natural disasters are more likely to happen this
year," Hui warned agricultural officials.
Despite serious natural disasters, China saw a rich grain
harvest last year, with a total output of 497.45 billion kg, 13.44
billion kg more than the previous year.
The per capita net income of 900 million rural residents
increased 7.4 percent to 3,587 yuan last year.
"Farmers should be encouraged to expand the sowing area and use
water-saving irrigation methods when they plow the fields," Hui
said.
He also called for construction of more anti-drought facilities
to offset the damages once the disasters hit.
(Xinhua News Agency March 23, 2007)