China Achieves Record Summer Grain Output Amidst Weather Challenges
China's summer grain output has reached a record 150.75 million tonnes, surpassing the 150-million-tonne mark for the first time, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. This achievement is attributed to the development of over 66.7 million hectares of high-quality farmland, supporting consecutive record harvests. The Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhang Xingwang, highlighted the slight increase in autumn crop planting areas, which is expected to contribute to another successful harvest. Despite these achievements, China faces challenges from extreme weather events, including potential droughts and floods, exacerbated by a developing El Niño event. The ministry is coordinating with various departments to issue timely warnings and mitigate disaster impacts, while also focusing on controlling major crop diseases and pests.