Unity in Flood Control and Disaster Relief | Striving for One More Acre is One Acre - Postdisaster Recovery of Agricultural Production in Heilongjiang | Agriculture | Heilongjiang

Harbin, August 23 (Xinhua News Agency) - Being able to grab an extra acre is one acre - Reflections on the post disaster recovery of agricultural production in Heilongjiang Province

Xinhua News Agency reporters Chen Yichen, Dong Baosen, Yang Siqi

"Everyone, work hard and repair the road as soon as possible to avoid delaying the autumn harvest." On the 23rd, at dawn, in Jinshan Village, Laojieji Township, Shangzhi City, Heilongjiang Province, villager Zhou Shikai led everyone to start repairing the damaged field road.

"This road is crucial for the local farmers' autumn harvest and is a necessary route for autumn harvest machinery. Grain transportation relies entirely on this road," Zhou Shikai said. Originally a gravel road, the flood caused the road to be "scattered".

Affected by the typhoon, several cities in Heilongjiang Province, including Shangzhi City, Wuchang City, and Yanshou County, have recently experienced sustained heavy rainfall, causing some farmland to experience disasters such as flooding and soaking. In order to minimize disaster losses during the critical period of agricultural production, Heilongjiang is making every effort to fight the "defense war" of stable autumn grain production.

On August 23rd, a piece of farmland located in Yabuli Town, Shangzhi City, saw good growth of rice. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Dong Baosen

In order to restore agricultural production order as soon as possible, Shangzhi City organized machinery and personnel to accelerate the repair of water damaged facilities, strengthen agricultural guidance, and help the masses coordinate and solve practical difficulties. "Being able to grab an extra acre is one acre, and being able to grab an extra ten percent is one acre." Wei Jinsheng, Deputy Director of the Agriculture and Rural Bureau of Shangzhi City, said that technical guidance services have been carried out for different regions and varieties, and field management measures such as supporting seedlings and spraying foliar fertilizer have been implemented to help some affected crops recover and grow as soon as possible.

In order to stabilize the production expectations of farmers next year, Shangzhi City actively coordinates insurance institutions to simplify claims procedures and procedures, and organizes surveys and loss assessments as soon as possible. For disaster prone plots, priority will be given to prepaying no less than 40% of the compensation according to the harvest ratio. For out of production plots, full compensation will be paid to households as soon as possible.

On August 17th, a field road in Shangzhi City was temporarily reinforced to facilitate the passage of agricultural machinery. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Dong Baosen

It is reported that Wuchang City has dispatched post disaster reconstruction assistance teams to fully cover the affected villages, and mixed and organized the assistance teams, totaling 1320 people. At present, the five permanent residents are carrying out post disaster reconstruction work in an orderly manner.

"Compared with some varieties, the rice fragrance has a lower rice yield and weaker lodging resistance, requiring more careful management and protection." Li Yanjun, the director of the Plant Protection Station of Wuchang Agricultural Technology Promotion Center, said that Wuchang City is known for its "Wuchang rice", and rice farmers mainly grow rice fragrance.

Li Yanjun told reporters that he has been busy in the fields these days, accelerating the efforts to drain accumulated water in the fields, guiding farmers in field management, and guiding them to scientifically promote the recovery of agricultural production after disasters.

In Daxing Village, Shanxiang Township, Wuchang City Mayor, after the flood disaster, grain grower Ling Guobin rode an electric bike to the field every day to drain the low-lying land and observe the growth of rice. "The rice has been flooded, which is very painful. We are currently strengthening field management and utilizing the advantage of sufficient sunlight in the future to increase yield." Ling Guobin planted 18 hectares of land this year, mainly rice, with some being order based planting. He said that as long as there is confidence, post disaster recovery is no matter how difficult it is. Currently, the entire village is making every effort to drain floods, repair agricultural machinery, and repair damaged roads.

On August 10th, technical personnel from the Agricultural Technology Extension Center of Yanshou County guided the resumption of production in the field. Respondents provide pictures

Yanhe Town, Yanshou County, was seriously affected by the disaster. Li Desheng, Secretary of the Party Committee of Yanhe Town, said that at present, 17 villages and 1 community in the town have completed disinfection and sterilization and cleaning up, personnel withdrawal and other work, and are actively resuming agricultural production.

In the village near Yanhe Town, the reporter saw that the water level of the Ant River had significantly decreased, and shallow shoals were exposed on the riverbed. In the nearby farmland, some rice had resumed growth and appeared emerald green. The air was filled with the fragrance of rice, and there were occasional plant protection drones operating. Nearby farmers said that this is spraying foliar fertilizer to promote rice grain filling and growth.

Li Jinhu, a villager from Ping'an Village, Yanhe Town, has planted over 160 acres of rice and is currently in the flowering period. Some plots have been affected by floods. "The drainage is basically over. Wait for a few days of rain before spraying foliar fertilizer, and the harvest will be better," said Li Jinhu.

For farmers facing temporary difficulties, Yanshou County has formulated relevant policies and actively contacted enterprises to find employment opportunities, helping farmers make up for their income losses appropriately.

"August is a crucial period for agricultural production, and by seizing this critical period, crop yields can still be compensated for." Liang Xinzhi, a villager from Beicun, Yishanpo Town, Shangzhi City, told reporters that he is most afraid of pests after the flood and cannot relax for a moment now.