China makes efforts to ensure stable grain output

HEFEI, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Watching the combine harvester shuttling between golden waves of wheat, Zhang Haiqing, a farmer in east China's Anhui Province, was relieved.

"Facing the challenges from the novel coronavirus and drought, we didn't expect to embrace a bumper harvest this year, with the yield increasing by 100 kg per mu (0.067 hectares) from last year," said the 44-year-old.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, farmers across China have harvested around 11.3 million hectares of wheat as of June 5, completing over 50 percent of the wheat harvesting. The progress this year is about three days ahead compared with previous years.

Despite the COVID-19 epidemic, China has introduced multi-pronged measures to minimize disruptions and ensure stable grain output.

A guideline on spring farming preparations amid epidemic control was issued by Chinese authorities in early March to ensure the country's agricultural production.

Given the severity of the epidemic, the guideline stressed taking differentiated epidemic control measures in accordance with local conditions and risk levels.

Zhang recalled the local government issuing "green passes," which ensured the transport of agricultural materials, while people were confined at home amid the epidemic.

"Thanks to the policy, we could take care of the grain in time, and technicians also offered advice and information on the growing of wheat through a WeChat group," said Zhang.

Modern technologies and machines also lent a hand in the summer grain harvest.

Shang Yue, a grain grower in Huaiyuan County in Anhui, was an early adopter of online farming. "I monitor the growth of crops with my mobile phone each day to check if there are pests," said Shang, adding that the online diagnosis played an important role during the epidemic.

"The wheat grew well amid the epidemic, yet the field was overgrown with weeds. An expert gave me a timely solution through video chat on the phone," said the farmer.

According to a report released by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China's grain output is predicted to reach 670 million tonnes this year, which will provide strong support for achieving the economic and social development goals.

"China has withstood the test of the epidemic, injecting confidence in global food security," said Dong Zhaorong, professor at Anhui Agricultural University.