August 21, 2009
China's vice premier urges stabilisation of grain output
Chinese vice premier Hui Liangyu on Thursday (Aug 20) urged local governments in Jilin Province to ensure the autumn grain production and increase incomes for rural residents amid the widespread drought.
In order to stabilise grain output, the relative departments should strengthen their anti-drought efforts and improve the technological services for agriculture, including pest control and crop management, said Hui during his tour in Jilin from Tuesday to Thursday.
Local government agencies were also asked to increase their investments in infrastructure projects in the rural regions as well as consolidating the farmland irrigation constructions.
In addition, Hui ordered the relative departments to guarantee the basic income for farmers through increasing direct subsidies and enhancing the policy-making process regarding the minimum purchasing price for agricultural products.
