October 7, 2008

China's crops battling record insect populations

China's autumn crop harvests are facing greater risks from insects due to weather conditions.

The Ministry of Agriculture said late Monday, 29 September 2008 that China's autumn crop harvests are facing greater risks from insects this year due to weather patterns that have sharply increased and expanded insect populations.

The ministry said in a statement published on its Web site if the situation is not properly controlled, plagues of insects such as locusts and moth larvae could result in heavy losses in the current grain harvest.

Insect populations this year are the highest on record due to favorable breeding conditions created by large snow storms early in the year and heavy rain in the summer.

The ministry said these populations have also expanded to areas that are usually free of the insects and the ministry has been working to reduce the crop losses. The government has therefore increased funds allocated this year to control these pests by RMB 23 million to RMB  255 million (US $33 million).