Chinese Premier urges efforts for quick summer grain harvest

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (C, front) chats with villagers at Poliwang Village of Shixiang Township in Changge City, central China's Henan Province, June 9, 2010. Wen inspected agricultural work in Henan Province on June 9-10. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

ZHENGZHOU, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has called on local authorities and farmers to achieve a quick summer grain harvest.

Wen made the call during his inspection tour of Henan Province, a major wheat-producing area in central China, from June 9 to 10.

He asked local governments to harvest crops as soon as possible, strengthen field management, intensify pest- and disease-prevention efforts, and ensure adequate supplies of fertilizers, pesticides and seeds.

Wen said a good summer harvest and stable farm produce prices are crucial for managing inflation expectations and for realizing the nation's macro-economic targets this year.

A bumper summer harvest will lay a solid foundation for the full-year harvest as summer grain output accounts for a quarter of annual grain output, he added.

Agriculture is a cornerstone for the national economy and the nation must always attach great importance to agricultural production, he said.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L, front) inspects wheat harvesting work at Poliwang Village of Shixiang Township in Changge City, central China's Henan Province, June 9, 2010. Wen inspected the agricultural work in Henan Province on June 9-10. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (2nd R, front) checks vegetable at an organic vegetable production base in Jiangguanchi Township of Xuchang County, central China's Henan Province, June 10, 2010. Wen inspected agricultural work in Henan Province on June 9-10. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (C) visits Zhengzhou Agricultural Products Logistics and Distribution Center in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, June 10, 2010.(Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (C) asks farmers about the output, price and purchase of wheat at the entrance of Xinxing National Grain Reserve in Xuchang, central China's Henan Province, June 10, 2010. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) drives a tractor in Housunwang Village of Xuchang, central China's Henan Province, June 10, 2010. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)