June 13, 2008

China reports minimal post-quake damage to Sichuan's grain harvest

The recent earthquake to hit China had cast minimal impact to Sichuan's grain harvest, yet the province suffered huge damage to its cash crops and agricultural infrastructures, local authorities said.

Chinese officials pointed out that Sichuan's earthquake zone is not a major producer of grain, with only around 25,000 tonnes lost. In fact, the summer grain yield has so far seen an increase of 92,000 tonnes, authorities said.

Song Xugui, division director of the provincial agricultural department, said the province may be able to achieve its goal of an on-year grain increase of 150,000 tonnes.

However, the quake has caused massive damage to the agricultural infrastructure and cash crops, Song added.

The province is short of fertilizers as manufacturing plants have been damaged in Deyang, Mianyang and Chengdu.

Statistics indicate that the plants are now only able to meet 60 percent of the demand.

Song said irrigation channels have been destroyed, some reservoirs are at risk and mountains have been scarred.

The earthquake damaged more than 33,000 hectares of farmland, including more than 10,000 hectares of wheat fields.

Observers said that up to 100,000 hectares of paddy fields might have to grow alternative crops due to damage to irrigation systems.

Furthermore, more than 20,000 farm machines were damaged, and repairs will take time, Song said.

 
Sichuan provides 6 percent of the nation's total grain output and 8 percent of the oil crops.