China Drought, Pollution, Mismanagement Points to High Grain Prices Later This Year

outright shortages of water are exacerbated by water pollution, which leaves many of its rivers unfit for irrigation. _javno

China's industrial policies have devastated water resources and former farmland for decades. On top of all that, low seasonal rainfall threatens China's grain crop, already reduced by unchecked blight. Expect higher grain prices on commodities markets later this year as a result. Also, expect the "pundits" of the world to blame biofuels.

About 158 million mu (10 million hectares) of wheat crop have been damaged or destroyed by the country’s worst drought in half a century, according to official figures. Last week, the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) announced that the Puccinia striiformis fungus, which is commonly known as stripe rust, had spread to 753,00 hectares of wheat, a 40% increase over last year’s outbreak. The MOA expects the prevailing dry climate to accelerate the spread of the fungus.

Rainfall this week has alleviated parts of drought-stricken provinces to some extent, with more rain forecast next week. Official data from China’s Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief estimates that as of 6 February, the drought had left more than 4.5 million people and 2.5 million livestock short of adequate drinking water.

More than two-thirds of China’s cities as well as 200 million rural residents already suffer water shortages. _GCC

China is a country full of intelligent and hard working people. It is their misfortune to be living under the CCP government, which in its single-minded obsession with power and regional hegemony has devastated the Chinese land, air, and water resources.