Posted on 08/21/2007 7:51:43 PM PDT by JACKRUSSELL
Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu said on Tuesday the country should do everything possible to maximize the grain harvest this year despite serious natural disasters that have affected production in some areas.
A good harvest was significant for social and economic development as it would help ensure the country's grain security, a rise in farming income and adequate market supply, said Hui.
He made the remarks during a tour of eastern Jiangxi province, a major grain production base which has been stricken by continuous droughts this year.
Hui ordered local governments to fully implement policies that would motivate farmers to better manage cropland and protect them from natural disasters.
"Greater efforts should be made to fight floods and droughts," said Hui, adding relief funds must be allotted to farmers to buy materials like fertilizers and diesel oil and to control plant diseases and insect pests.
Despite grain output rising for three years in a row, some farm products were still in short supply, farmers were vulnerable to natural disasters and domestic prices were often affected by international prices, said Hui.
He said the government must ensure sufficient supplies of meat, eggs and milk at stable prices and strive to improve rural employment and incomes.
“The Great Leap Forward” Part Deux.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.