Snowstorms Curtail but Leave for a Chilling Future

CHINA - After massive damage to the livestock industry, temperatures around provinces south of the Yangtze are beginning to rise. The devastating snowstorms seem to be drawing to an end, but the aftermath remains serious and calls for greater rehabilitation efforts.

20 February 2008

2 minute read

Asia

Many vegetable farms have been destroyed, poultry and cattle killed, and a number of villages are still suffering from power outages.

It is beyond doubt that the rehabilitation tasks are no less complicated and as tough as the battle against the disaster. That explains why the central government has called on local governments at all levels to make detailed plans for rehabilitation.

The local governments will have to first identify their priorities in terms of resources and aid.

Agriculture in the provinces has been hit hard and so have the villagers. Some of these provinces are the country's major production bases for spring vegetables, and the impact on supplies will be felt in the coming months.

In addition, crops in these provinces to be harvested in the summer are entering their key growing period, therefore measures must be adopted immediately to save them and the damaged fruit trees. Great and early efforts will ensure better summer yields.

At the same time, the sowing of spring crops requires even more attention so that the yields in autumn will hopefully make up for the summer losses.

Migrant workers who have left the southern provinces may have to be called back to help in agricultural rehabilitation. This is a major issue that needs to be addressed to ensure sufficient labor in these areas.

An emergency "return to villages" plan could be introduced.

Farming experts and technicians also need to be organized to come up with new ideas on rehabilitation, and offer advice to villagers on how best to save their damaged crops.

Last but not the least, local governments must come up with long-term plans on disaster relief and reduction. These plans will increase the sustainability of agriculture in times of disasters, and safeguard the incomes of farmers.