Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao wrapped up an inspection tour of the drought-hit central Henan Province from Friday to Saturday, urging more efforts by local governments to ensure agricultural production threatened by the prolonged drought in many of China's grain producing areas.

Drought has hit north China and the middle and low reaches of the Yellow and Huaihe rivers, including provinces of Henan, Shandong, Shanxi, Hebei, Jiangsu and Anhui, due to rare rainfall and snowfall this winter.

During his tour of Henan, Premier Wen checked the wheat growing fields, visited rural households, inspected agricultural research institutes and held a meeting on anti-drought arrangement in the drought-hit region.

Wen said as spring draws near, local governments in the drought-hit regions should prepare as early as possible, focus on the fight against the current drought and support farmers with technology, relief facilities, fund and materials.

"It is of great significance for the people's basic lives and the social and economic development to combat the current drought and ensure agricultural production," Wen said.

Local government departments must work out and implement agricultural technologies as soon as possible to reduce the impact of drought on agricultural production and ensure wheat survive the frigid winter, he said.

Wen also called on local governments to overhaul water resources facilities, increase water supply to fight against the current drought and prepare for irrigation when the spring farming season begins.

He urged more input of funds in the fight against the current drought, particularly for the construction of anti-drought emergency water projects.

Local governments must also pay close attention to ensuring enough drinking water for people and livestock in regions that were heavily affected by the drought, said Wen.

(Xinhua News Agency January 22, 2011)