During an inspection tour in Heilongjiang, Han Changfu stressed the need to maintain unwavering vigilance in ensuring a successful autumn grain harvest and to strive for a bumper yield of both grain and agricultural products for the entire year.

From August 11 to 14, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Han Changfu emphasized during his inspection tour in Heilongjiang that it is essential to thoroughly implement the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, earnestly carry out the “six stabilizations” and fulfill the “six guarantees” tasks, and ensure that all aspects of agricultural production are meticulously planned, rigorously executed, and carefully refined. He stressed the need to maintain unwavering vigilance in safeguarding autumn grain production, make every effort to secure a bountiful harvest of grain and a successful agricultural year in this year of moderate prosperity, consolidate the favorable momentum of agricultural and rural development, and provide solid support for maintaining overall economic and social stability.
　　In late summer and early autumn, the land of Longjiang is filled with the fragrant aroma of ripening rice. Corn Thriving. Han Changfu has been closely monitoring autumn grain production. He visited Xinhua Village, Donghai Town, Jidong County, Jixi City, inspecting rice fields on site, engaging in discussions with large-scale farmers and agricultural technicians, and inquiring about rice varieties and projected yields. Upon learning that a leading farmer expects his rice yield to reach 1,200 jin per mu, Han Changfu expressed great satisfaction. He emphasized that autumn grains account for the bulk of annual grain output, and that, at present, overall conditions are favorable, laying a solid foundation for a bumper harvest. At this stage, it is imperative to strengthen field management, remain committed to combating disasters and securing a bountiful harvest, enhance monitoring and early warning systems, and reinforce technical guidance and services, ensuring that farmers implement all necessary field‑management measures to guarantee safe maturation and a plentiful, well‑reaped harvest.
　　Han Changfu expressed great concern about the development and operations of agricultural enterprises. He visited Harbin Yuchang Food Co., Ltd. and Heilongjiang Heliang Agricultural Co., Ltd., touring their production lines and gaining insights into their efforts in linking with and supporting farmers, managing business growth, and building brands. He emphasized that agricultural enterprises play a vital role in driving the development of the agricultural sector and increasing farmers’ incomes. He urged them to embrace an entrepreneurial spirit, take proactive responsibility, and foster industrial progress, thereby enabling more farmers to participate in the value chain and share in the benefits of added value. At the same time, he called for further innovation, deepening engagement in the domestic market, scaling up and strengthening agro‑processing, extending the industrial chain, cultivating corporate brands, and enhancing competitiveness.
　　Han Changfu also visited the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute to conduct a fact-finding mission on the progress of African swine fever vaccine development. In the control room of the National High-Level Biosafety Laboratory for Animal Diseases, he reviewed the status of clinical trials via live surveillance, inquired in detail about the trial data and any challenges encountered, and commended the researchers for their diligent efforts over the past year and more. Han Changfu emphasized that, ultimately, vaccination remains the most effective means of eradicating African swine fever. Should an effective vaccine be successfully developed, it would play a crucial role in bolstering the confidence of pig farmers—particularly small- and medium-sized producers—and accelerating the recovery of hog production. He called for the adoption of extraordinary measures, the strengthening of institutional safeguards, and the drawing on advanced practices from the vaccine‑development field, while adhering to scientific rigor and working with a sense of urgency to advance research and development more efficiently, with the goal of bringing the vaccine into practical use at the earliest possible date.
　　Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Yu Kangzhen, President of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Tang Huajun, Chief Agronomist of the Ministry and Director of the General Office Guang Defu, among others, participated in the relevant field research.

Source: News Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Author: News Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs