Guo Tiancai, a professor at Henan Agricultural University, said the winter drought in Henan might continue into spring if little snow or rain falls in February and March.

The unusual drought has even hit some places that traditionally enjoy a humid climate.

The northern part of Jiangsu Province has seen a sharp drop in rainfall this winter.

In north China's Shanxi Province, 1.5 million hectares of farmland have been affected across more than 60 percent of the province's wheat-producing areas. The drought has had an immediate impact on people living there as well, leaving more than 440,000 residents with dwindling drinking water supplies.

Recent snowfalls in north China were of limited help in alleviating drought in wheat-growing regions and the country should keep on with its drought-fighting efforts, said Yu Zhenwen, an expert with the MOA.

"To effectively ease drought, the hardest-hit regions require at least 50 mm of precipitation. The latest snowfalls fall far short of that amount," Yu said.

Sparing no efforts

Premier Wen Jiabao told a national teleconference on February 10 the drought had threatened the summer crop yield and called for measures—such as subsidizing farmers and ensuring irrigation—to be taken to guarantee a bumper harvest this year.

Wen said local authorities should monitor drought conditions, adopt measures to minimize the impact of drought on wheat-growing regions, make preparations for spring plowing, provide technical services for farmers and strengthen field management.

More efforts should be made to strengthen irrigation and water conservancy construction, encourage farmers to build irrigation facilities, increase drought-fighting material reserves and promote water-efficient irrigation throughout the country, he said.

Wen urged governments at all levels to increase funds to boost agricultural production. The Central Government had allocated 12.9 billion yuan ($1.89 billion) to support grain production and fight drought, he said.

China would also strengthen the regulation of farm produce markets and raise minimum rice purchase prices to boost farmers' incomes, he said.

Before Wen made the remarks, the State Council, China's cabinet, pledged on February 9 to boost grain production by raising minimum purchase prices of grain, subsidizing the purchase of anti-drought materials and adding funding for farm irrigation.

"The drought will severely impact the summer grain production if no measures are taken," said Han Changfu, Minister of Agriculture.

Spring drought following the winter one would be a significant threat, he said.

In a bid to deal with the difficult problem the drought has caused, the MOA has called on local governments at all levels to strengthen their efforts to channel water to affected areas, enhance irrigation and ensure the availability of fertilizer.

It has also sent groups of experts to drought-hit provinces to help farmers mitigate damage.

Han ordered local agricultural officials to work to stabilize spring planting areas and ensure areas for grain planting will be equal to that of last year.

Local agricultural officials were also asked to strengthen supervision over market supply of agricultural materials to keep prices stable.

On February 11, the Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR) said it would establish an anti-drought and well-drilling operation headquarters and three sub-headquarters in north China, areas along the Yellow and Huaihe rivers and northwest China.

Also, China Geological Survey, an institution directly under the MLR, dispatched experienced technicians from its nine affiliated units to form three emergency squads and 12 emergency groups to assist local governments in finding water in those regions.