The Chinese mainland is currently intensifying its summer harvest and planting efforts as the arrival of the primary flood season and erratic weather patterns pose significant challenges to grain production across key agricultural regions.
Central to these efforts is the "Three Summer" campaign—comprising summer harvesting, summer planting, and summer field management. During an inspection tour in north China's Hebei Province from June 1 to 2, Vice Premier Liu Guozhong emphasized the urgency of this campaign to establish a robust foundation for the year's overall grain output.
The timing is critical. Summer wheat, which contributes more than 20% of the annual grain output, is currently being harvested in major producing hubs such as Henan, Shandong, Anhui, and Jiangsu. However, the process has been complicated by widespread heavy rainfall throughout May. Meteorological authorities have forecast another round of extensive rainfall beginning today, June 3, which is expected to bring showers and localized severe convective weather to vital grain-producing areas.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, as of June 2, the Chinese mainland has harvested 119 million mu (7.93 million hectares) of summer wheat, representing 35.09% of the national total. Progress varies by region, with harvesting nearly 70% complete in Anhui and approximately 50% complete in Henan.
Vice Premier Liu has called for maximizing windows of favorable weather, strengthening early warning systems, and ensuring a stable supply of chemical fertilizers to protect the harvest.
Extreme Weather and Systemic Risks
The challenge is exacerbated by an increasingly volatile climate. Since the flood season began on April 1, national average precipitation has reached 170 millimeters, roughly 5% above the historical average. In 18 provincial-level regions, 146 rivers have seen flood levels exceed warning thresholds—a 50% increase compared to the average of the past five years.
Experts highlight that these patterns are linked to global climate change. Zhang Jianyun, a hydrology expert from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, noted that hydrological deviations are likely tied to these broader shifts. Furthermore, a joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization indicates that the rising intensity of extreme heat events over the last 50 years has become a systemic threat to global food security.
Mu Yueying, a professor at China Agricultural University, explained that extreme weather creates a "systemic risk" that extends beyond the crops themselves to affect agricultural machinery, logistics networks, and farmers' incomes.
Building Agricultural Resilience
Despite these pressures, officials maintain that farmland waterlogging remains manageable. Long Haiyou of the Ministry of Water Resources reported that major irrigation districts are operating normally, though risks from mountain floods and smaller river flooding are expected to climb as June progresses.
China's resilience is being bolstered by significant investments in rural infrastructure. Professor Mu noted that high-standard farmland, advanced irrigation and drainage systems, and improved storage facilities provide a critical buffer against weather extremes.
Financial safeguards are also playing a pivotal role. In 2026, China Life Property & Casualty Insurance has processed more than 360,000 agricultural insurance claims, covering approximately 3.95 million mu of farmland. The company has completed damage assessments worth nearly 3 billion yuan ($443.6 million) and paid out roughly 2.9 billion yuan in compensation, providing a vital safety net for farmers facing climate-driven losses.
Reference(s):
China steps up summer harvest efforts amid growing flood risks
cgtn.com
