Spot Grain Shortages Emerging In Yunnan As Drought Continues - 580,000 Lack Sufficient Food

[hatrack]

YUNNAN- Rural families in Southwest China's Yunnan province are facing food shortages because of the continuous drought, resulting in crops dying. Last month's artificial rain has brought little relief to Yunnan province, as crops have already been severely affected by the region's prolonged drought.

Chen Lizhen, a 61-year-old farmer in Nanjian county, central Yunnan, is one of many families whose source of food has been affected by the drought. There are five people in her family--herself, her three sons and a daughter-in-law. However, both her oldest son and his wife have gone to seek work in Guangdong province, because Chen does not have enough food, water or money to support the whole family.

At present, there are about 30,000 people in Nanjian county seeking jobs in other provinces in order to earn money and at the same time save water and food for their families. The strong head out while the old and weak remain back in the village.

EDIT

One official said, "The cost of buying 19 liters of water, plus transportation, was equivalent to purchasing three kilograms of rice to feed a hungry famer." Neighboring Chu Xiong Yi autonomous prefecture also faces similar problems. So far, there are about 580,000 villagers who do not have enough food, and that number may reach 700,000 by July.

EDIT/END

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-05/19/content_9868859.htm