Quake Hit Sichuan Reported Another Harvest Year

Despite a severe snowstorm early last year, and last May's quake, Sichuan produced over 30 billion kilograms in grain.

That's a billion kilograms over 2007's output.

Local agriculture chief, Zhang Ning, says adopting new technology was crucial.

"We have made a lot of efforts to restructure the agriculture industry; and improve productivity of the farmlands. We've also strengthened research in breeding crops with high yield.

Application and promotion of new technology ahve contributed a lot to last year's grain harvest in Sichuan."

He says Sichuan's output will continue to grow. An increase of 2.5 billion kilograms, is expected by the year 2015.

Meanwhile, the local agriculture authority, is working to diversify regional farming systems, depending on the local specialty.

Chengdu agricuture inspector, Liang Yan.

"We have enlarged farmlands to produce more of our specialties, such as kiwifruits, and tea. We've also increased efforts in forestation; and you will find in the quake-hit areas the vegetation in lush."

Sichuan reported a loss of 300 billon yuan last year.

That's because the snowstorm and quake destroyed 240-thousand hectares of farmland.