Local authorities across China are stepping up measures to safeguard agricultural production as a persistent heatwave scorches vast swathes of the country.
Since early Monday, north China's Tianjin Municipality has experienced notably sweltering and muggy conditions, prompting the local meteorological observatory to issue an orange alert for high temperatures.
As a key aquaculture hub in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Tianjin's fishery and farming sectors are now facing mounting challenges from the combined effects of extreme heat and high humidity, with authorities mobilizing technical guidance and contingency plans to minimize losses and ensure stable production.
"The key to fish farming is to control water conditions. As the weather temperature rises, the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water decreases. Now that we are in the hottest period of the year, the temperature is [extremely high]. The meter currently shows a water temperature of 31 degrees Celsius," said Liu Yi, an engineer at the freshwater aquaculture department of Tianjin Fisheries Research Institute.
Local agricultural technical experts have stepped up patrols during peak heat hours to monitor water quality changes, while advising farmers to supplement nutrients for the fry based on monitoring results. They have also guided the installation of shade nets and aerators to regulate water temperature and oxygen levels in a timely manner, thereby creating a stable growing environment for the fish.
In recent days, the local maximum temperature in Heze City, east China's Shandong Province, has surpassed 37 degrees Celsius, posing severe challenges to crops at their critical seedling stage.
Leveraging intelligent temperature-controlled greenhouses and a scientific management model guided by frontline agricultural technology services, local authorities have effectively implemented heat-prevention and cooling measures to ensure healthy seedling growth.
On Monday, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region upgraded and issued a red alert for high temperatures. According to forecasts, by Thursday, the highest temperatures in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Turpan, and Hami are expected to rise above 40 degrees Celsius, with local temperatures in some areas reaching over 50 degrees Celsius.
In Manas County of Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, scorching weather has posed severe challenges to 860,000 mu (approximately 57,333 hectares) of cotton at the flowering and boll-setting stage. Local authorities have deployed digital technologies, including Internet of Things (IoT)-based moisture monitoring, intelligent water and fertilizer integration systems, and drone-assisted surveillance, to deliver precise heat relief solutions for the cotton fields.
"With digital equipment, pest conditions, temperature, and humidity can all be monitored in real time via mobile phones. Using drones for pest and disease control is both convenient and effective," said Wang Zhong, a cotton farmer in Manas County.
China ramps up efforts to ensure agricultural production amid heatwave
