Society

Yunnan runs short of grain after long drought

By Li Yingqing and Guo Anfei (China Daily Yunnan Bureau)
Updated: 2010-05-19 14:50

YUNNAN- Rural families in Southwest China's Yunnan province are facing food shortages because of the continuous drought, resulting in crops dying.

Last month's artificial rain has brought little relief to Yunnan province, as crops have already been severely affected by the region's prolonged drought.

Chen Lizhen, a 61-year-old farmer in Nanjian county, central Yunnan, is one of many families whose source of food has been affected by the drought.

There are five people in her family--herself, her three sons and a daughter-in-law. However, both her oldest son and his wife have gone to seek work in Guangdong province, because Chen does not have enough food, water or money to support the whole family.

At present, there are about 30,000 people in Nanjian county seeking jobs in other provinces in order to earn money and at the same time save water and food for their families. The strong head out while the old and weak remain back in the village.

Last week, she borrowed 50 kilograms of rice. The rice, when mixed with corn and potatoes, can feed her family of three for two months.

The seeds of rice, tobacco and corn that she planted this spring have failed to germinate because of the drought, she said.

In the past, she could earn 5,000 yuan each year by selling corn, tobacco and tea. This would be enough to buy rice to feed the family until September.

"But the crops have failed, and more than 200 yuan worth of seeds and fertilizer have been wasted due to the drought, and now I don't have the money to buy enough rice," Chen said, as she choked back sobs.

As water for irrigation mainly comes from rainfall, the shortage of rain has greatly affected planting.

The drought has also has affected the family's main income - tobacco and corn, which was planted in May.

The drought has caused food shortages of about 2,400 tons in Nanjian county. Local government could only aid by donating 200 tons of food, but there is still a shortfall of 2,200 tons, and this is a huge problem, according to a county official.

The food shortages began in April this year, and July, August, and September will be the worst months.

If the drought continues, villagers will face serious food shortages, the official said.

The output of early spring crops in the province decreased by 60 percent, a report said.

Moreover, the price of rice has increased from 3 yuan per kg in February to 5 yuan because of the drought.

The mountain area of Nanjian county accounts for 99.3% of the total, but it has not rained since May last year.

The mountain has many trees and flowers that bloom in spring, but unfortunately, the drought has taken a toll on the mountain's beauty, too. Many of its trees have turned yellow and withered away. Seventy percent of its pine trees, many of which are over 20 years old, have died.

Many businesses and resident from all over the country have donated water. However, the cost of transporting 19 liters of water to famers in drought-hit areas is starting to get higher than the water itself.

One official said, "The cost of buying 19 liters of water, plus transportation, was equivalent to purchasing three kilograms of rice to feed a hungry famer."

Neighboring Chu Xiong Yi autonomous prefecture also faces similar problems.

So far, there are about 580,000 villagers who do not have enough food, and that number may reach 700,000 by July.