The Ministry of Agriculture recently distributed 74,000 tons of fertilizer and 230,000 tons of diesel oil to drought areas. It also transported a batch of seeds to provinces that are in even worse situations.

Five groups of experts set out Wednesday to assist local governments in combating drought in provinces such as Hebei, Anhui and Shandong.

China gave priority to saving water in this agricultural battle by developing dry farming in order to increase usage and efficiency of water.

The Ministry also tried to restrict the number of rice paddies to save groundwater in the northern part of China.

Meanwhile, the big drought has given rise to locusts, which have posed a threat. The Ministry has appropriated special funds for killing locusts.

(People's Daily 06/14/2001)