The skills to combat drought were taught to farmers several years ago, but nowadays the local government has to persuade them to carry out the techniques.

Diao Dezhong, Official of Xibao village, Handan city, said, "The men are working out in Beijing, Tianjin, Taiyuan, while the women are working in the nearby feed factory. "

Considering the nearly one thousand yuan yearly income from farming, many villagers are choosing to find work in other cities, causing labor shortages on farms.

Bao Changqing, Chief of Agricultural Bureau of Handan city, said, "How to encourage the farmers to join in the fight against drought and the wheat saving is a very crucial issue."

Bao told us that currently the Handan government has sent 1,500 agro-technicians to various farms to help harvest crops. Should crops begin to fail, 18 million yuan is set aside to help save wheat.