Premier Li Keqiang issued instructions to the work conference of national spring agricultural production and forest and grassland fire prevention which was held on March 20 in Luohe city, Henan province.

Premier Li pointed out that issues of agriculture, farmers and rural areas are supportive to steady growth. He said that areas and departments should fulfill the deployment of the central rural work conference and the Government Work Report. Preparations for spring plow and sowing should be carried out to achieve a bumper harvest for the summer and yearly grain crops. Meanwhile, forest and grassland fire prevention, and animal epidemic prevention and treatment should also be carried out.

The Premier added that reform in rural areas should be deepened and agricultural development patterns should be changed according to the requirement of promoting a sustainable agriculture. To achieve new results in agricultural modernization — policies concerning the benefits of farmers should be improved, grain production be steady and agricultural labor productivity be increased.

Vice-Premier Wang Yang attended the meeting. Wang said that more technological instructions on agriculture should be given, resources supply be prepared and quality supervision be carried out and financial support be increased. He added that market control should be carried out to protect farmers’ production.

Currently many areas have entered a period when forest and grassland fires may easily happen. Wang stressed that preparations should be made to avoid serious disasters.