China's autumn grain harvest passes 40%, agriculture ministry says
In short
More than 40% of China's autumn grain has been harvested, according to the latest farm-condition data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. On October 6, CLS had reported the figure at 35%, with the southwest nearly 70% done and the northeast just over 10%. China News Service reported that Heilongjiang had harvested more than 68 million mu and Hebei nearly 31 million mu of corn.
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More than 40% of China's autumn grain has now been harvested, according to the latest farm-condition data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, as reported by China News Service, Yicai and Xinhua. China News Service said localities were racing to bring in the crop and using a range of measures to make sure all the grain is gathered. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
On October 6, CLS reported, citing the ministry, that the harvest stood at 35%. By region, the southwest was nearly 70% done, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze nearly 50%, Huang-Huai-Hai and the northwest over 40%, and the northeast just over 10%. [ 1 ]
China News Service reported that the northeast has entered its peak harvest period. Heilongjiang has harvested more than 68 million mu, about 30% of the province's autumn grain area. In Youyi County, Shuangyashan, 100,000 mu of glutinous rice is being harvested, with ploughing, sowing, harvesting and storage largely mechanised; the county uses contract farming, with the rice sent to companies for storage and processing. Liaoning's harvest is nearly half complete, faster than the same period last year, and harvesting is fully under way across more than 4 million mu of corn in Changtu County, Tieling, where straw is chopped and returned to the field to protect the soil. [ 2 ]
In the Huang-Huai-Hai region, Hebei has harvested nearly 31 million mu of corn, about 60% of its planted area, according to China News Service. The province has deployed 810,000 farm machines and is promoting an integrated harvesting, drying and storage model, with combine harvesters working in Renze District, Xingtai. Anhui has harvested more than 30% of its autumn grain area; in Guoyang County, Bozhou, machines that harvest corn kernels directly in one pass are being promoted to reduce losses. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The figures come from the agriculture ministry's own progress tracking and were carried by official and business outlets alike. China News Service tied the pace to machinery deployment and to reducing harvest losses, and reported that the northeast has entered its peak harvest period.
Key facts
- The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs' latest farm-condition data show more than 40% of China's autumn grain has been harvested. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- CLS reported on October 6, citing the ministry, that 35% of autumn grain had been harvested: nearly 70% in the southwest, nearly 50% in the middle and lower Yangtze, over 40% in Huang-Huai-Hai and the northwest, and over 10% in the northeast. [ 1 ]
- Heilongjiang has harvested more than 68 million mu of grain, about 30% of the province's autumn grain area. [ 2 ]
- Liaoning's autumn grain harvest is nearly half complete, faster than the same period last year. [ 2 ]
- Hebei has harvested nearly 31 million mu of corn, about 60% of the planted area, and has deployed 810,000 farm machines. [ 2 ]
- Anhui has harvested more than 30% of its autumn grain area. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The date to which the more-than-40% figure applies. The documents call it the latest data but do not give the cut-off date.
- How far each region has progressed at the 40% stage. A regional breakdown appears only in CLS's earlier 35% report; the later reports give provincial figures for only a few provinces.
- How the national pace compares with last year. Only Liaoning's progress is compared with the same period last year.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- CLS reports, citing the agriculture ministry, that 35% of autumn grain has been harvested. [ 1 ]
- China News Service reports the harvest has passed 40%, with provincial progress figures. [ 2 ]
- Yicai reports the national autumn grain harvest has passed 40%. [ 3 ]
- Xinhua reports the agriculture ministry's figure that the harvest has passed 40%. [ 4 ]