Central China Farmers Struggle with Crop Failures Amid Severe Drought Conditions

Photo : AP

HUDIAN: Farmer Bao Mingchen pointed to a dry irrigation pipe that once nourished crops, now surrounded by cracked soil in the midst of a severe drought gripping China's expansive agricultural heartland.

"Everything is dry," he remarked solemnly while walking alongside a rice paddy near his home in Hudian, a modest township located in Henan province, central China. Despite the rice plants still displaying a vibrant green hue, Bao, taking a drag from his cigarette, expressed growing concerns among local farmers about the prolonged absence of rain.

Recent years have seen China grappling with a series of extreme weather events, including devastating floods and unprecedented heatwaves, which scientists attribute to increasing frequencies under global climate change.

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While central China battles drought conditions, heavy rains and landslides in the southern regions this week claimed lives and left several others missing. The prolonged dry spell has prompted many farmers to delay planting, with agricultural authorities warning of potential crop damage.

Not far from Bao's residence, Liu, a 70-year-old reservoir manager, shared his observations with AFP, noting that the area had not received significant rainfall since April. Standing by the reservoir, its water level unusually low and marked by stained concrete, Liu underscored the critical role the reservoir plays in sustaining local agriculture, particularly rice and corn cultivation.

"If it doesn't rain, the reservoir will face depletion, and the rice paddies of these farmers will suffer," Liu cautioned. "Without rainfall, all the crops will perish."

Just nearby, Wang, a 59-year-old woman farmer, arranged bundles of Chinese mugwort, a medicinal herb, lamenting its withered state. "Look at it, all withered," she remarked sadly. "The lower parts are already dead, and even the sprouts at the top are drying up."

Across the road, Wang pointed out a patch of crumbling, arid soil where corn should have been growing. In a poignant twist, a brief, feeble drizzle fell for a few minutes, evaporating swiftly on the scorching ground beneath dissipating clouds and intense sunlight.

Wang expressed a glimmer of hope in technological advancements and artificial rainfall to aid farmers through the drought. "With advanced technology and artificial rain, there might be some hope for us," she said. "But if the rain continues to elude us, ordinary folks like us will face complete crop failure. That's the reality."

The scenes in Hudian highlight the precarious situation faced by farmers in central China, underscoring the urgent need for innovative solutions and government support to mitigate the impacts of drought and safeguard agricultural livelihoods.

June 19, 2024 4:36 p.m. 436

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