Minimizing drought effect

The four-month drought that has hit China's major wheat-growing regions in the north is a wake-up call for Chinese policymakers to step up efforts to protect agricultural production from extreme weather.

China's meteorological authority said on Monday that a cold front would cause rain to fall in some drought-hit regions over the next few days. Such a heaven-sent gift - if it does come - will be more than welcome to Chinese farmers, for whom the whole year's work relies on a good spring start.

A record bumper harvest in 2010 allowed Chinese farmers, for the first time in many years, to enjoy a rate of growth in income above that of urban incomes and of GDP. It is only natural that they aspire to another good year.