Chinese Drought Losses Mounting
As the Chinese drought continues into its fourth month, there is still little in the way of natural relief in sight.
Meanwhile, fingers are starting to point at a government responsible for woefully inadequate irrigation systems.
On Feb 7, Henan province had its first rainfall for 110 days - just 6 mm. During February and March, a crucial time that can dictate the success of a June harvest, crops needed 30 mm, said Zhu Mengzhou, deputy director of the province's agricultural bureau.
"If the drought continues, we may lose at least 25 percent of the production this year," he added.
Wheat fields in central plain areas, especially those near water resources such as reservoirs, aqueducts, rivers and wells, have been irrigated effectively. But the 28 million mu in the western uplands has been difficult to reach.
"We endeavor to dig wells, divert water from rivers and organize people to transport water to relieve the drought," said Yu Hequn, vice-deputy director of Henan's irrigation bureau. But some land cannot be helped, he explained: "The cost is too much. The irrigation facilities, most built in 1960s, are out of order. Farmers have nothing to do but rely on rain."
Meanwhile, fingers are starting to point at a government responsible for woefully inadequate irrigation systems.
On Feb 7, Henan province had its first rainfall for 110 days - just 6 mm. During February and March, a crucial time that can dictate the success of a June harvest, crops needed 30 mm, said Zhu Mengzhou, deputy director of the province's agricultural bureau.
"If the drought continues, we may lose at least 25 percent of the production this year," he added.
Wheat fields in central plain areas, especially those near water resources such as reservoirs, aqueducts, rivers and wells, have been irrigated effectively. But the 28 million mu in the western uplands has been difficult to reach.
"We endeavor to dig wells, divert water from rivers and organize people to transport water to relieve the drought," said Yu Hequn, vice-deputy director of Henan's irrigation bureau. But some land cannot be helped, he explained: "The cost is too much. The irrigation facilities, most built in 1960s, are out of order. Farmers have nothing to do but rely on rain."