The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has issued the “2021 National ‘Protecting Crops from Pests’ Action Plan for Ensuring a Bountiful Harvest.”

This year, major crop diseases and pests are expected to occur at a relatively severe level, posing a formidable challenge for prevention and control. To spare no effort in effectively managing these threats, minimize damage and losses, and strive for a bumper grain harvest, the General Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued the “2021 National ‘Protecting Grain from Pests’ Campaign Plan” on January 26.

2021 National “Protecting Crops from Pests” Campaign Plan for Ensuring a Bountiful Harvest

Crop pests and diseases are critical factors affecting stable and increased grain production, and their effective prevention and control is a key measure for mitigating disasters and ensuring a bountiful harvest. In 2021, major pest and disease outbreaks—including wheat stripe rust, Fusarium head blight, the “two‑migration” rice pests, fall armyworm, beet armyworm, and corn borer—exhibited a severe resurgence, posing an immediate threat to food production security. To organize and implement robust prevention and control measures, minimize damage and losses, and achieve the goal of safeguarding grain yields by curbing pest and disease impacts, this plan has been formulated.

I. Analysis of the Trends in the Occurrence of Major Pests and Diseases Affecting Principal Crops     

According to monitoring by the National Crop Pest and Disease Forecasting Network and expert consultations, major pests and diseases affecting grain crops such as wheat, rice, and corn are showing a trend of severe recurrence in 2021. The total affected area nationwide is projected to reach 2.1 billion mu‑times, a 14% increase year on year, posing risks to more than 70% of production regions. Timely and effective control measures must be implemented to mitigate disaster losses.

(1) Major wheat diseases and pests. The projected area affected by the “three diseases and one pest” is 470 million mu‑times, up 13.8% year on year. Specifically, stripe rust is expected to break out extensively in the Han River basin, the northern parts of Southwest China, and the southern Huanghuai wheat region, with a markedly increased risk of widespread epidemics in the major wheat-producing areas of the Huanghuai–Hai Plain; the affected area is estimated at 60 million mu. Fusarium head blight will be widespread in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the Jianghuai region, and the southern Huanghuai wheat area, while moderate to severe outbreaks are anticipated in the northern Huanghuai wheat region, with an estimated affected area of 90 million mu. Sheath blight is generally expected to occur at a moderate level, with more severe outbreaks in central and northern Hubei, Anhui, Henan, and Jiangsu, covering an estimated 120 million mu. During the heading stage, aphids are likely to occur at a relatively severe level across most wheat-growing areas, with particularly heavy infestations in central and northern Henan, southeastern and central Shandong, and much of Hebei; the total affected area is projected at 200 million mu‑times.

(II) Major Rice Pests and Diseases. The projected area affected by the “three pests and two diseases” of rice is 1.12 billion mu‑occurrences, up 12.6% year on year. Specifically, brown planthopper is expected to occur at a generally severe level in southern rice-growing regions, with widespread outbreaks in the central and eastern parts of the Jiangnan region, covering an estimated 350 million mu‑occurrences; stem borer is forecast to be severely prevalent in the southeastern Southwest, South China, Jiangnan, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and the Jianghuai rice‑growing areas, with an estimated 240 million mu‑occurrences; rice stem borer is expected to be severely prevalent in Jiangnan, the northern part of the Southwest, and the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, with large outbreaks in central and southern Hunan, northern Jiangxi, and the eastern coastal areas of Zhejiang, covering an estimated 210 million mu‑occurrences; rice blast is likely to be severely prevalent in the hilly and mountainous areas of southwest and south China, along the Yangtze and Huai Rivers, and in parts of Northeast China, affecting approximately 65 million mu‑occurrences; sheath blight is expected to be severely prevalent across most rice‑growing regions, with large outbreaks in certain areas such as Jiangnan and the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, covering an estimated 250 million mu.

(3) Major corn pests and diseases. The projected area affected by the “three pests and one disease” is 440 million mu‑occurrences, up 13.4% year on year. Fall armyworm is expected to occur across corn-growing regions from the Huanghuaihai Plain southward. In Southwest and South China, multiple generations will emerge with severe outbreaks; in the Jiangnan region and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, outbreaks are likely to be moderate; in the Jianghuai, Huanghuai, Northwest, and North China areas, outbreaks will be mild or lighter; and in southern Northeast China, sporadic occurrences may be observed. The area expected to harbor the pest is estimated at 40 million mu, with 80% concentrated south of the Yangtze River. For the oriental armyworm, most areas will experience moderate outbreaks, while some northern and southwestern corn-producing regions may face high‑density, localized damage; the projected affected area is 75 million mu‑occurrences. Corn borer will be moderately prevalent across most of Northeast China, with locally heavier infestations in parts of the Huanghuaihai Plain and Southwest China; the projected affected area is 260 million mu‑occurrences. Northern leaf blight is expected to be relatively severe in parts of Northeast China, North China, and Southwest China, with an anticipated affected area of 65 million mu.

In addition, late blight of potato is expected to be severe across much of Southwest China, eastern Northwest China, Northeast China, and northern North China; the grass cutworm will occur at a moderately severe level in most of Inner Mongolia and western Northeast China; locusts within China are generally anticipated to cause only minor damage; meanwhile, desert locusts and yellow-spined bamboo locusts from abroad still pose a risk of re‑invading China’s southwestern border regions.

II. Approach and Objectives  

(1) Overall Approach. We will earnestly implement the important instructions and directives of General Secretary Xi Jinping, as well as the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, the Central Economic Work Conference, the Central Rural Work Conference, the No. 1 Central Document, and the National Conference of Directors of Departments of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. We will firmly shoulder our political responsibility for food security, do everything possible to sustain the positive momentum in grain production, and prioritize the prevention and control of major crop diseases and pests as a key task in agricultural and rural work. We will focus on major crops, significant pests and diseases, and critical regions; adhere to tailored guidance, region-specific strategies, and coordinated prevention and control; strengthen monitoring and early warning systems; emphasize green pest management; promote integrated pest management; and organize emergency response measures. Our goal is to resolutely prevent outbreaks of migratory and epidemic major pests and diseases from escalating into disasters, minimize damage and losses, and strive to achieve an organic integration of safeguarding a bountiful harvest by controlling pests and reducing pesticide use.

(II) Objectives of the Initiative. Ensure that overall yield losses caused by major pests and diseases of rice, wheat, maize, and potatoes are kept below 5%; achieve a 100% control and management rate in key source areas and recurrent outbreak zones of transregional migratory and epidemic pests and diseases; raise the coverage of integrated pest and disease management for the three major grain crops—rice, wheat, and maize—to at least 43%; accelerate the promotion of green pest‑control products and technologies; and continue to advance the reduction of pesticide use.

III. Key Tasks

Focus on major crops and key pests and diseases, target priority regions and critical periods, and wage three major prevention-and-control campaigns to secure a bountiful grain harvest.

(1) Launch a decisive campaign to control wheat’s “two diseases and one pest.” Stripe rust: In overwintering areas such as the Southwest, the Han River Basin, and southern Huanghuai, prioritize early-spring “spot‑treatment to protect the broader area” preventive measures to mitigate local damage, reduce the initial pathogen reservoir, and lower the risk of spread to the major wheat‑producing regions of Huanghuai and the North China Plain. In these key wheat‑growing areas, strengthen monitoring and early warning; once outbreaks occur, promptly organize coordinated, large‑scale control and emergency interventions—act early and address small outbreaks—to prevent widespread epidemics and crop losses. Fusarium head blight: In frequently affected zones along the Yangtze River, the Jianghuai region, and southern Huanghuai, steadfastly adhere to the principle of “proactive intervention—apply fungicides at flowering,” seizing the critical period of heading and anthesis to fully implement preventive and control measures. In less common but recurring outbreak areas—such as central and northern Huanghuai and North China—maintain a rigorous approach of “prevention first, timely application when conditions are right”; should prolonged cloudy and rainy weather during heading and flowering create favorable conditions for disease spread, immediately arrange foliar sprays of protective fungicides to avert epidemic outbreaks. Aphids: Building on integrated management that simultaneously controls stripe rust and fusarium head blight to suppress pathogen populations, in key infestation areas like Huanghuai and the North China Plain, place particular emphasis on aphid control during the grain‑filling stage to prevent explosive outbreaks and severe damage.

(II) Win the tough battle against the “two pests and two diseases” of rice. For the two migratory rice pests—rice leafhoppers and rice stem borers—implement large‑area joint monitoring and region‑specific coordinated management. In South China, Southwest China, and the Jiangnan region, focus on curbing the influx of pest sources from outside the main infestation zones; apply stringent control thresholds to reduce local damage and minimize the number of pests migrating northward. In the Jiangnan region, the Yangtze River Basin, areas where single- and double-cropping rice are interplanted, and regions cultivating single‑crop rice, prioritize “suppressing early and controlling late” for rice leafhoppers to prevent sudden outbreaks in the later growth stages, while enforcing strict threshold‑based management for rice stem borers, with particular emphasis on protecting the functional leaves (the top three leaves). For rice blast: in the hilly and mountainous areas of southern China, along the Yangtze and Huai Rivers, and in the Northeast—regions where the disease is endemic—strengthen preventive measures during the initial stage of leaf blast and at the booting–heading stage to avert large‑scale epidemics. For sheath blight: emphasize control during the tillering and jointing stages to curb its spread and mitigate its damaging effects.

(3) Win the battle to prevent and control the fall armyworm in corn. Fall Armyworm: Further strengthen joint prevention and control across the “three zones” and implement targeted measures along the “four belts,” intercepting and trapping migrating adult moths at each stage, and promptly and thoroughly eradicating larvae. In the year-round breeding areas of Southwest and South China, prioritize eliminating incoming pest sources from abroad, curbing local damage and losses, delaying northward migration, and reducing the number of pests exiting these regions; in the Jiangnan–Jianghuai migratory transition zone, focus on controlling incoming pest populations to keep the baseline of migrating adults low; and in the Huanghuaihai and northern key prevention zones, enhance monitoring and early warning, apply pesticides scientifically, and ensure production safety. Cutworms: Strengthen monitoring and early warning, with particular emphasis on coordinated, large-scale, concentrated control in high-density outbreak hotspots across major corn‑producing areas such as Northeast China, Northwest China, and the Huanghuaihai region, to prevent localized outbreaks that could cause severe damage. Grass Moth: Focus on intensifying adult moth monitoring across most of Inner Mongolia, northern Shanxi and Hebei, and western Northeast China; implement effective adult trapping and larval eradication campaigns to avert widespread crop damage.

In addition, efforts to identify and address domestic locust hazards have been intensified. Building on green control measures such as biological and ecological management, priority has been given to emergency control in high-density localized outbreaks. For desert locusts and other transboundary species, monitoring in border areas—including Tibet, Yunnan, and Xinjiang—has been further strengthened; upon detection of incursions, swift eradication is ensured to prevent widespread damage.

Appendix 1: Key Technical Guidelines for the Control of Wheat “Two Diseases and One Pest” in 2021

In 2021, wheat disease and pest management focused primarily on stripe rust, Fusarium head blight, and aphids—referred to as “two diseases and one pest.” By seizing critical timing and implementing key control measures, the effectiveness of prevention was significantly enhanced, thereby mitigating damage and losses.

I. Wheat Stripe Rust

On the basis of comprehensively strengthened monitoring, vigorous efforts are being made to control pathogen sources in winter‑breeding areas and to detect and contain outbreaks at their earliest stages in spring‑epidemic regions. In winter‑breeding zones such as the Southwest and the Han River basin, comprehensive preventive measures—“survey with fungicides, identify a single spot, contain an entire area”—are implemented in early spring to reduce initial pathogen populations, lower the risk of large‑scale epidemics later in the season, mitigate local damage, and curb the spread of pathogens to major wheat‑producing regions like the Huanghuaihai Plain. In spring‑epidemic areas such as the Huanghuaihai Plain, monitoring and early warning are intensified starting in late February and early March; upon detection, a full‑scale survey is promptly launched, with targeted interventions to protect broader areas and strict containment of disease foci. Should an epidemic trend emerge, coordinated, unified control and emergency management measures are swiftly deployed to prevent widespread outbreaks and crop losses. Recommended fungicides include triazolone, tebuconazole, flusilazole, hexaconazole, and propiconazole.

II. Wheat Fusarium Head Blight

Building on agricultural control measures such as scientific fertilizer and water management, and clearing ditches to improve soil conditions, it is essential to rigorously adhere to “three principles.” First, ensure timely application of fungicides. In frequently affected areas—such as the Yangtze River Basin, the Jianghuai region, and southern Huanghuai—fully implement the “apply at flowering” preventive strategy. When prolonged cloudy, rainy weather or extended periods of dew occur—conditions conducive to disease outbreaks—re‑apply 5–7 days after the initial treatment to carry out a second round of protection. In less frequent outbreak zones—like northern Huanghuai and North China—once favorable climatic conditions for disease development arise, seize the wheat flowering stage to promptly apply fungicides for prevention. Second, select appropriate fungicides. In regions where resistance to carbendazim has already emerged—such as the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, parts of Jianghuai, and localized areas in Huanghuai—use agents like cyproconazole, tebuconazole, and prothioconazole, along with their formulated combinations. Even in other areas, adopt rotation strategies to enhance control efficacy and delay the emergence of resistance. Wherever possible, choose formulations that are resistant to rain washout, such as ultrafine powders and suspension concentrates. Third, apply fungicides scientifically. Employ mechanized equipment—including self‑propelled wide‑width sprayers, thermal foggers, motorized mist blowers, electric sprayers, and drones—while minimizing the use of backpack sprayers. Prefer small‑orifice nozzles and add suitable functional adjuvants to ensure optimal droplet size and uniform distribution of the spray solution. When using thermal foggers, incorporate stabilizers; for drone applications, especially multirotor drones, add settling agents.

III. Wheat Aphids

Building on earlier enhanced monitoring and integrated management of stripe rust, Fusarium head blight, and other concurrent diseases, particular emphasis should be placed on controlling wheat aphids during the heading stage. When the average aphid count reaches 500 per ear, promptly organize coordinated, large-scale control measures. In high‑risk areas such as the Huang–Huai–Hai region, if favorable weather conditions during the heading stage lead to an increase in pest generations and accelerated reproduction, resulting in a rapid escalation of damage, immediate emergency control operations must be launched. Recommended insecticides include imidacloprid, flonicamid, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, clothianidin, sulfoxaflor, lambda‑cyhalothrin, and pymetrozine.

Appendix 2: Key Technical Points for the Control of “Two-Migration” Rice Pests in 2021

III. Scientific and Safe Use of Pesticides

For rice planthoppers, the control strategy emphasizes “aggressively managing the previous generation to reduce the initial pest population and controlling damage during the peak period of the current generation.” For the rice leafroller, the “threshold‑based application” approach is recommended from the early egg‑hatching stage through the peak of early‑instar larvae. Effective insecticides for controlling rice planthoppers include triflumezopyrim, pymetrozine, flonicamid, sulfoxaflor, thiamethoxam, and nitenpyram, while options for managing the rice leafroller comprise matrine, abamectin, indoxacarb, spinosad, ethyl spinosad, cyantraniliprole, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki, Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai, Metarhizium anisopliae, cabbage looper nucleopolyhedrovirus, chlorpyrifos, and profenofos. In addition, it is crucial to strengthen guidance on alternating and rotating pesticides to prevent the repeated or continuous use of the same active ingredient across different rice fields or within the same field, thereby effectively delaying the development of resistance and managing its spread.

Appendix 3: Key Technical Points for the Control of Fall Armyworm in 2021

III. Optimization of Technical Measures

First is physicochemical control. During the peak emergence of adult moths, employ high-altitude light traps, sex pheromone traps, and food‑based attractant‑kill devices to lure and eliminate adults, disrupt mating, and reduce egg deposition in fields. Second is biological control. Focusing on the year‑round breeding areas of the fall armyworm in Southwest and South China, apply biopesticides such as Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, cabbage looper nucleopolyhedrovirus, and Bacillus thuringiensis for early‑stage larval suppression; concurrently, conserve and utilize natural enemies like Trichogramma pretiosum, Telenomus remus, and Macrolophus pygmaeus to promote sustainable management. Third is rational pesticide use. In areas with high pest densities and contiguous outbreaks, implement coordinated, large‑scale prevention and control during the early larval stages; in scattered infestations, adopt targeted spot treatments and localized eradication. Promote the use of ethiprole, indoxacarb, emamectin benzoate, flufenoxuron, chlorfenapyr, and chlorantraniliprole, emphasizing rotational, alternating, and safe application practices to delay the development of resistance and enhance control efficacy.

Appendix 4: Key Technical Points for Domestic Locust Control and Overseas Locust Prevention in 2021

In accordance with the overarching principles of proactive prevention, integrated domestic–international efforts, tailored measures, and effective response, we must both strengthen domestic locust control and rigorously guard against the invasion of foreign species such as the desert locust. We will enhance monitoring and early warning systems, conduct comprehensive assessments to identify potential locust‑related risks, prioritize deployment in the “One Belt, Four Regions” area, and ensure early detection, timely warnings, and prompt preventive measures.

I. Domestic Locust Control

Conduct a comprehensive survey to identify potential locust hazards; implement chemical emergency control in areas with high-density outbreaks, and adopt biological control and ecological management in areas with medium- and low-density outbreaks.

(1) Conduct thorough surveys to identify potential locust hazards in key areas. For the East Asian migratory locust, focus on the Bohai Bay region and the Yellow River floodplain; for the Tibetan migratory locust, prioritize river valleys along the Yarlung Tsangpo and Jinsha Rivers; for the Asian migratory locust, concentrate on lake‑and‑reservoir wetlands in Xinjiang, Heilongjiang, and Jilin; and for the desert locust, target the agro‑pastoral ecotones of northern China. Strengthen systematic monitoring and baseline surveys to obtain a comprehensive understanding of their occurrence and distribution, ensuring that inadequate surveillance does not give rise to significant locust‑related risks.

(II) Vigorously advance sustainable governance. In areas where locust populations remain at low to moderate densities—0.5 locusts per square meter for the migratory locust and fewer than 5 per square meter for the desert locust—continue implementing measures such as vegetation improvement, water-level regulation, and biodiversity conservation to rehabilitate affected regions, particularly in lake‑reservoir catchment areas, water‑conservation zones, nature reserves, and green agricultural and livestock product production bases. Prioritize biological control methods, including entomopathogenic microsporidia, Metarhizium fungi, and neem extracts, to maintain locust populations at low density levels over the long term.

(3) Implement chemical control in a scientifically sound manner. In areas identified through surveys as experiencing high-density outbreaks, promptly apply chemical pesticides such as malathion and lambda‑cyhalothrin for effective management. For locust populations exceeding 10 individuals per square meter or grasshopper populations exceeding 30 individuals per square meter—i.e., high‑density infestations—immediately deploy aircraft, agricultural drones, or large‑scale spraying equipment to carry out emergency control measures, thereby preventing widespread outbreaks and crop damage.

II. Prevention of Locusts from Abroad

In line with the preventive strategy of “controlling locusts beyond our borders and preparing for contingencies at home,” we are closely monitoring international locust trends, strengthening surveillance in border areas, and stockpiling emergency supplies in advance. Should migratory swarms enter the country, we will promptly contain and eradicate them.

(1) Strengthen border monitoring of locust outbreaks. In areas along the borders of Yunnan, Tibet, Xinjiang, and other regions where locusts from abroad may migrate, fully utilize the 29 existing border monitoring stations and, as needed, establish additional monitoring sites. From April to August, assign dedicated personnel to conduct regular observations, and during critical periods, mobilize local communities to carry out thorough surveys. Upon detection of any locust activity, report it immediately.

(2) Stockpile emergency supplies in advance. In accordance with emergency prevention and control requirements, the border areas of Yunnan, Tibet, and Xinjiang shall pre‑stock appropriate pesticides such as malathion and lambda‑cyhalothrin. In regions suitable for aerial operations, complete the necessary pre‑submission of flight‑operation notifications in advance.

(3) Conduct timely emergency response. Establish an emergency response team, carry out emergency drills, and upon detection of locust incursions, immediately launch control operations to promptly contain and eradicate the invading swarms, ensuring that incoming locusts do not take flight again and cause further damage.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs