BEIJING, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- According to the website of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the China Meteorological Administration forecasts that from January 31 to February 5, central and eastern China will experience the longest-lasting large-scale rain, snow and freezing weather since the start of winter, affecting the largest number of provinces with freezing rain; in some areas the cumulative snowfall will approach or exceed historical levels for the same period, showing extreme characteristics. With the Spring Festival approaching, this is the peak consumption season for "shopping basket" products and also a critical period for facility-based production; sustained rain, snow and freezing weather may pose a major threat to agricultural facilities and production.

To this end, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued an urgent notice on January 29, requiring agriculture and rural affairs departments at all levels to strengthen risk awareness and bottom-line thinking, keep disaster prevention and mitigation firmly in mind, strive to minimize disaster losses, and ensure the safety of agricultural production and the stable supply of vegetables and other "shopping basket" products.

Strengthen monitoring and early warning, and implement preventive measures. Maintain close communication and consultation with meteorological, emergency management, water resources and other departments, analyze and assess the impact of rain, snow and freezing weather in advance, clarify prevention priorities and response measures, and release them promptly via television, radio, mobile phone text messages and other channels. Northern regions should reinforce greenhouses for vegetables, livestock and poultry sheds, and aquaculture greenhouses (ponds) and other facilities in advance, conduct inspections, scientifically regulate temperature and humidity, provide supplemental heating and lighting, and strengthen fertilizer and water management. Southern regions should implement anti-freezing measures for rapeseed, open-field vegetables, fruit trees and other crops, carry out intertillage and hilling, spray foliar fertilizer, and enhance plant cold tolerance. Ensure anti-freezing protection for livestock, poultry and aquatic product facilities and equipment, and promptly reserve and replenish feed. All regions should strengthen disaster monitoring and scheduling, and promptly report progress in disaster relief work.

Provide targeted guidance and services, and do a good job in production recovery. Formulate and improve scientific technical plans for frost prevention and cold resistance, organize working groups and science and technology teams, and implement key measures. Strengthen the allocation and transportation of production materials such as seeds, fertilizers, forage and feed, vaccines, and disinfectants. After rain and snow, promptly clear snow from facilities and repair damaged facilities; for rapeseed, open-field vegetables and other crops, do a good job in clearing ditches and regulating soil moisture, reducing humidity and draining waterlogging, to mitigate the combined effects of waterlogging and freezing damage. Promptly carry out harmless treatment of livestock, poultry and aquatic products that died due to the disaster. Coordinate with relevant insurance institutions to complete loss assessment and claims settlement for damaged facilities and affected crops as soon as possible.

Do a good job in the production of "shopping basket" products and ensure market supply. In view of the fact that this rain, snow and freezing weather coincides with the peak transportation and sales season for "shopping basket" products on the eve of the Spring Festival, which may block the transportation of fresh agricultural products in some areas, closely monitor market dynamics, promptly release supply and demand information, stabilize market expectations, and guide farmers to harvest mature vegetables, fruits and other products in a timely manner to increase market supply. Help farmers connect production and sales and prevent unsalable products and difficulties in selling. Cities likely to be affected by snowfall should prepare response plans in advance and appropriately increase the variety and quantity of "shopping basket" product reserves. Keep the "green channel" open and ensure stable production and adequate supply of fresh agricultural products such as vegetables and pork.