China Vows to Minimize Wheat Harvest Losses

China's Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) vowed Tuesday to keep losses from pests and diseases for this year's wheat harvest under 5 percent.

The MOA's data shows that as of last Friday, the amount of acreage affected by pests and diseases in 14 provinces and municipalities stood at 140 million mu (9.33 million hectares), up 25 percent from last year.

This year's wheat crop has been plagued by pests and disease due to temperature fluctuations and increased rainfall in some areas of China, the ministry said at a work conference held in Shiyan in central Hubei Province.

The MOA ordered agricultural authorities at all levels to monitor the situation and give wheat farmers help in controlling the problem.

(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2011)