China is stepping up efforts to protect its autumn grain harvest as forecasters warn of more frequent extreme weather, stronger typhoons and a developing El Nino that could bring greater uncertainty to agricultural production in the coming months.
Zhang Xingwang, vice-minister of agriculture and rural affairs, said on Friday that while agricultural losses nationwide have been relatively limited so far this year, localized disasters have intensified and the most challenging part of the flood season is still ahead.
"The overall disaster situation has been relatively mild, but some regions have suffered severe impacts," Zhang said. Flooding has caused more damage than drought this year, with two typhoons making landfall in July triggering floods, waterlogged farmland, livestock losses and damage to agricultural facilities in some areas, he said.
China's meteorological authorities expect above-normal extreme weather during the ongoing main flood season, with two major rain belts stretching across the country. Officials have warned of an increased risk of abrupt shifts between drought and flooding, more frequent and stronger typhoons, and the emergence of a strong or even super El Nino event.
"The uncertainty surrounding disaster risks is high, and the outlook for agricultural disaster prevention is not optimistic," Zhang said.
The warning comes despite a strong start to the year's grain production. China harvested a record 150.75 million metric tons of summer grain this year after overcoming delayed planting caused by last autumn's unusually heavy rains and repeated downpours during this year's harvest season.
Attention has now shifted to autumn grain, which accounts for roughly three-quarters of China's annual grain output.
Most autumn crops have already been planted, with acreage expected to increase slightly from last year. Crop conditions are generally normal after farmers adopted higher-yield cultivation practices, including integrated water and fertilizer management, Zhang said.
Supplies of meat, vegetables, fruits and aquatic products also remained sufficient, he added.
During the first half of this year, China's output of pork, beef, mutton and poultry reached 50.5 million tons, up 4.3 percent from a year earlier. Aquatic product output rose 4.4 percent to 35.12 million tons, while fruit and vegetable supplies remained stable.
But with more than two months remaining before harvest, officials say the crop still faces multiple risks from heavy rain, drought, and heat waves.
The ministry has launched a 100-day campaign to safeguard autumn grain production and secure another annual grain harvest.
Measures have been taken to strengthen weather monitoring and early warning systems through closer coordination with meteorological, water resources and emergency management authorities, and increasing emergency stockpiles of agricultural inputs and disaster response teams for rapid deployment.
Experts will also guide farmers on drainage, replanting, crop recovery and repairing damaged farmland and agricultural facilities after disasters.
Meanwhile, China plans to strengthen the resilience of the agriculture sector to climate change by expanding high-standard farmland, improving irrigation and drainage systems, and building an integrated monitoring network for crops and disasters, Zhang said.
"Every year brings different challenges," he said. "We should carefully review every disaster, strengthen research into agricultural disaster prevention, and better understand long-term trends so that our responses become more targeted and effective," he added.