Unprecedented Autumn Rainfall Causes Severe Crop Damage in China
Since September, regions in China such as Henan, Shandong, and Shaanxi have been experiencing unusually heavy and continuous rainfall, a phenomenon not seen in decades. This has led to significant germination, mold growth, and decreased yield of autumn crops. Henan, a major grain-producing province, has recorded its highest rainfall in 64 years during this period, resulting in severe damage to agricultural output. Local farmers have expressed that the persistent rain has not only significantly reduced crop quality but also nearly paralyzed agricultural machinery operations, leading to a several-fold increase in labor costs and sharp declines in farmers’ income, even leading to losses.
According to data from the Henan Provincial Meteorological Bureau, the average rainfall in the province has reached 408.9 millimeters since September, which is 2.9 times higher than usual for the same period, marking the highest recorded during this period since 1961. The average number of rainy days in Henan has reached 36.7 days, exceeding the usual by 17.5 days, with an average of only 104.0 hours of sunlight, less than 2.2 hours per day. Areas like Xuchang have seen rainfall exceeding 800 millimeters, breaking several historical records in meteorological indicators.
The continuous rainfall has transformed the once golden landscapes of abundant harvest into muddy swamps. Large areas of peanuts, corn, and other autumn crops have faced severe issues like germination, mold growth, root rot, and lodging due to the inability for timely harvesting.
This rare autumn rain has not only destroyed the current season’s harvest but also poses a serious threat to the planting of next season’s crops like wheat and garlic. The muddy and unmanageable fields have rendered almost all agricultural machinery ineffective.
A farmer named Liu Yongli (pseudonym) in Zhengyang County, Henan Province, described the hardships of the harvest to reporters: “We had to manually pull out each peanut across 28 mu of land, working continuously for a month, straining our backs to the point of being unable to stand up straight, relying on painkillers every day. The sprouting and rot of crops are particularly severe, resulting in significant yield reductions.”
Machinery being unable to operate, labor costs have surged. Liu Yongli mentioned: “In previous years, plowing peanuts and picking fruits were free, as the merchants collecting straw would handle it as well. However, this year, the straw has been soaked by rain and rendered useless, and every stage now requires hiring workers at a cost. Currently, the cost for machine-harvesting fruits has risen to around 200 to 260 yuan per mu, and the daily wage for manual peanut pulling has increased from 80 yuan in previous years to around 210 yuan, and yet, it’s still difficult to find workers.”
The intense labor has imposed massive physical and mental stress on farmers. Liu Yongli mentioned that his brother-in-law, who contracted around 40 mu of land, was on the verge of breakdown after the continuous harvest, saying, “I am so tired that death seems preferable; then, I wouldn’t need to worry about anything.” This seemingly extreme statement highlights the helplessness and despair of farmers in the face of disasters.
The situation in Laizhou City, Shandong Province, is equally severe. A local farmer named Zheng Yunpeng (pseudonym) told reporters, “The sudden downpour submerged the corn in water, with the water level reaching up to the waist, making it impossible to access the fields. The air is filled with the putrid smell of rotting crops. Unable to use machinery, we have to pump out the water and manually pick each corn cob by hand.”
After the struggle to salvage the harvest, drying the crops has become a new challenge. Liu Yongli explained, “There’s no space to sun-dry peanuts, so they are piled up in the living room, even in bathrooms, with electric fans and blowers running 24 hours. But with daily rainfall, ‘mold grows if left outside, and mold also grows indoors,’ eventually leading to a decrease in quality.”
While some areas may not experience a significant drop in yield due to the recovery growth after previous droughts, the severe decline in crop quality has become a certainty.
Liu Yongli expressed a heartbreaking paradox, stating, “This year was supposed to be a year of abundance, with peanuts growing large and full, yet a large amount of crops could not be recovered. Some plants’ roots have died, making them impossible to uproot; those that can be uprooted shed all their peanuts with a gentle shake of the soil, leaving only the roots in hand.”
According to analysis from industry insiders reported by the Futures Daily, the quality issues such as germination, mold, black streaks, and yellow skin in peanuts in Henan this year have increased significantly, leading to a higher proportion of oilseeds compared to commodity grains, reducing the market’s price prospects.
Recalling the past, Liu Yongli reflected, “In previous years, the price of peanut kernels could reach over 5 yuan per catty, but with such poor quality this year, it is challenging to achieve a break-even price.”
The corn yield in Shandong Province has also been noticeably impacted. Zheng Yunpeng provided specific data, stating, “On our approximately 100 mu of land, we harvested about 200 kilograms less per mu compared to last year. Despite the authorities claiming this year’s abundant corn harvest, the reality is quite different, mostly to stabilize public perception.”
Furthermore, soybean farmers this year faced even more disastrous losses. Liu Yongli revealed, “Soybeans are generally moldy, priced at only 40 cents per catty in the market, insufficient to cover the fertilizers and harvesting costs. In reality, soybean planters are selling at a loss.”
The inefficient harvest operations amidst rainy weather not only reduces productivity but also comes with severe safety hazards. Liu Yongli recounted a harrowing incident, “A few days ago, we parked our car on the side of the dirt road to load items, but it got stuck after driving less than 200 meters. When we called a tractor for towing, it got stuck after less than 100 meters, with its rear bucket suddenly flipping. Fortunately, the tractor itself didn’t overturn; otherwise, someone could have been crushed to death or suffered fractures. Even if no one was hurt, the hot water in the tractor’s reservoir could have caused burns. Such incidents have occurred in previous years as well, where a neighbor of ours broke his leg when his tractor overturned ten years ago.”
Moreover, some farmers suffered from mold-induced poisoning during the harvest, underscoring the high risks farmers face during agricultural production in extreme weather conditions.
The ongoing rainfall has not only impacted the autumn harvest but also poses a serious threat to the planting of the next season’s crops. Zheng Yunpeng remarked, “The planting of wheat this year has been delayed as the fields are too wet, and the vehicles cannot enter. While the weather has improved over the past few days, it will take at least ten more days of drying the land before it is ready for planting.”
According to agricultural experts cited by local media, the delay in wheat planting will directly affect next year’s summer harvest, potentially triggering a chain reaction of disasters. This rare autumn rain has exposed the current vulnerability of agricultural production in coping with extreme weather conditions.