Ministry announces steps to counter effects of La Nina on agriculture

The Agriculture Ministry released a plan recently to tackle possible agricultural disasters caused by La Nina, a weather pattern that stems from cooler-than-average ocean surface temperature in the equatorial Pacific.

As a La Nina event is expected to arrive in winter and pose threats to agriculture, the plan aims to alleviate its negative effects and ensure the vegetable supply in winter and the coming spring, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said.

The plan proposes technical measures to prevent and control agricultural disasters in different region, such as those aimed at preventing freeze and frost of winter wheat in northern China.

Major production areas of greenhouse vegetables should inspect and fix the sheds in advance and sweep accumulated snow to avoid the damage.

To prevent spring drought, the ministry suggested northern areas to use techniques including water-retaining spray and plastic ground cover. Northeast China's Heilongjiang province should speed up drainage to prevent spring floods.

The plan urges local authorities to strengthen monitoring of crop growth, soil moisture, and disasters and make emergency preparations in terms of inspection equipment and adequate seeds.