News in brief: Floods in China’s northeastern region, responsible for a significant portion of the country’s grain, soybeans, and rice production, have raised concerns about global food security. Ongoing typhoon season and increased flooding risk further threaten farmlands and agricultural output.
Flooding in Chinaâs northeastern region has destroyed farmlands, increasing worries about food security because of the region’s role in global food supply. The region comprising of Jilin, Liaoning and Heilongjiang provinces, produces almost 30% of Chinaâs grain, which accounts for 45% of the national corn harvest. It also accounts for 60% of soybeans and 20% of rice of Chinaâs total harvest.
Analysts predict more rains in the coming months as the typhoon season continues, heightening fears of submersion of more farmlands.
Many villages and large areas of farmland were also flooded in the city of Wuchang, a major rice producing city in Heilongjiang. Local media reports that the extent of damage has not yet been ascertained by authorities. The situation has raised concerns about food security issues in the country and globally.
The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs had earlier warned about the severe impact of Typhoon Khanun and Typhoon Doksuri on agricultural production. Authorities have increased aid to storm affected areas, with evacuation efforts ongoing. Farmers have to face the dreary prospect of losing crops due to the difficulty in draining rain-soaked fields. The situation is further compounded by risks of diseases and infestations.
The impact on Chinaâs agriculture sector is expected to increase food prices, like rice, which had remained relatively stable in recent weeks. Seasonal flooding affect large parts of China, yearly, particularly in the semitropical south but the northern regions have however witnessed the worst floods in 50 years.
