China is well positioned to navigate the impacts of El Niño and other challenges to agricultural production, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said Tuesday, citing solid progress in farmland, irrigation, seed quality and mechanization.
As forecasts suggest strong El Niño events in the coming months could bring significant uncertainty to global grain output, China's top economic planner said the country's agricultural sector is broadly equipped, capable and confident in responding to climate challenges.
The country's foundation for stable and bumper grain harvests remains solid, NDRC spokeswoman Li Chao said at a press conference in Beijing. More than 66 million hectares of high-standard farmland have been built nationwide, and irrigated farmland exceeds 72 million hectares. Coverage of improved crop varieties has topped 96 percent, while the comprehensive mechanization rate for crop planting and harvesting has surpassed 76 percent. Emergency capacity for rapid harvesting and drying has also improved markedly. China's grain output has remained above 700 million tonnes for two consecutive years.
"Judging from the current situation, preparations for this year's autumn and winter sowing are well underway. A large-scale autumn grain harvest is about to begin, which will be immediately followed by the critical phase of autumn and winter planting. According to various reports, most regions across the country are enjoying favorable weather, and the autumn grain harvest is expected to proceed normally, paving the way for the next planting cycle. Wheat seed supplies are sufficient, and fertilizer and other agricultural inputs are well secured," Li said.
China will strengthen disaster monitoring and early warning, shore up the foundations of water conservancy and continue advancing high-standard farmland and the modernization of large and medium-sized irrigation districts. It will also bolster support for seed industry technology, step up market regulation, make good use of government grain reserves and promptly activate the minimum purchase prices in eligible areas to ensure that policies play their role in providing a safety net.
El Nino is a natural climate phenomenon characterized by the warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. It typically occurs every two to seven years and lasts about nine to 12 months. Its effects on global temperatures are often most pronounced in the year after it forms.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that an expected very strong El Nino event raises the likelihood of major shifts in rainfall, temperatures and atmospheric circulation across many parts of the world. Its impacts, however, can vary by location and season, and may be shaped by other climate drivers, including conditions in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.
China well-equipped to safeguard agricultural production against El Nino risks: spokeswoman
