Farmers in Sichuan have been particularly hard-hit by the quake. But with the help of the local governments, as well as PLA and paramilitary soldiers, they have started to plant for the next season.
Farmers in Sichuan have been particularly hard-hit by the quake. But with the help of the local governments, as well as PLA and paramilitary soldiers, they have started to plant for the next season.
In Longxi Township in Wenchuan County, 90% of the crops and vegetables have been destroyed. The local government is organizing farmers to harvest Chinese cabbage. To minimize the damage, all the cabbages harvested will be sold through one command center set up by the local government.
At the same time, seeds were also handed out to farmers for autumn harvest.
Yu Mingqing started planting corn right after the quake. Now his crop is sprouting.
Yu Mingqing said "We depend on the corn. We can't ask the government for everything. We need to rely on ourselves also. The government has already done so much for us."
In Longan Township in Pingwu County, similar harvests are taking place in vegetable gardens and wheat fields. Farmers are also receiving seeds from the local agriculture bureau for planting in the next season.
As the farmers in Sangzao township in Yibin harvest and plant, paramilitary soldiers are also lending a helping hand. 400 soldiers are planting rice crop for the farmers.
Yu Minghua, one farmer of Sangzao Township said "There are only two people in our family. Planting rice crop is very urgent. We're very happy that soldiers in Yibin came to our village this afternoon to help us."
The soldiers are also helping the farmers harvest wheat and plant other crops. Some of them also visit the farmers at home to help them sort through other difficulties.
(CCTV June 3, 2008)