Chinese vice-premier stresses disaster prevention for bumper autumn grain harvest

HOHHOT -- Vice-Premier Liu Guozhong has stressed the need to step up agricultural disaster prevention and mitigation to secure a bumper autumn grain harvest.

Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region from Sept 1 to 3.

Noting that autumn grain accounts for three quarters of annual grain output and is currently in a critical period for yield growth, Liu called for region-specific and scientific field management and swift implementation of yield-boosting measures.

He also stressed strengthening meteorological monitoring and early warning, improving grain harvesting and drying capacities, and ensuring effective pest and disease control.

Liu urged efforts to give full play to farmers' cooperatives and other agricultural entities, implement supportive policies on autumn grain production, and protect farmers' grain-growing incomes.

During the inspection, Liu also learned about high-standard farmland development, black soil protection, seed industry revitalization, agricultural technology promotion, and agricultural water-saving. He called for accelerating the application of artificial intelligence and the development of smart agriculture, and the promotion of advanced farming techniques.