China's summer grain production reached a record 150.75 million tons this year, surpassing the 150 million ton mark for the first time, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs announced on Friday (24), according to a note from the "Xinhua" agency. The country has already developed a total of more than 66.7 million hectares of high-quality agricultural land, which has sustained consecutive record harvests, said Zhang Xingwang, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, at a press conference. The planting area for China's autumn crop increased slightly in 2026, establishing a solid foundation for another abundant harvest, Zhang said. Autumn grains account for about three-quarters of the country's total annual grain production. In the first half of the year, China also intensified efforts to boost its seed industry. Domestically developed crop varieties now account for more than 95% of the total planted area. According to weather forecasts, China will face more frequent extreme weather events during this year's peak flood season, and some areas may experience abrupt changes between drought and flooding. Meanwhile, a strong or even super El Niño phenomenon is forming, which could bring more heat, heavier rainfall, and more severe droughts to certain regions, Zhang emphasized. To address the risks, the ministry will closely monitor climate change and intensify coordination with meteorological, water resources, emergency management, and other departments to issue timely warnings, according to Zhang. The stockpiling of materials and the mobilization of technical experts will be strengthened to minimize losses caused by disasters. He also stressed that special attention will be given to major crop diseases and pests, including rice leafhoppers and southern maize rust.
This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.