BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- As pests and diseases plague south China's rice yield earlier this year, the Ministry of Agriculture Tuesday said it was taking measures to fight "comparatively severe" pest plague in the rest of this year.

    According to statistics from the ministry, some 31.3 million hectares of rice farmland had been hit by pests and diseases in 13 major rice production bases in south China by July 20 this year.

    The ministry called for local government to strengthen prevention and treatment measures to fight against rice pests and diseases, and ensure a good grain harvest in autumn.

    Wang Shoucong, deputy director of the crop-growing department of the ministry, said that the ministry has held a meeting in southwest China's Guizhou Province to work out detailed measures.

    Firstly, the ministry asked local agriculture departments to monitor and predict the pest and disease plague accurately, Wang said.

    Secondly, Wang said local plant quarantine sectors should strengthen quarantine and inspection to prevent pests plagues from spreading to other areas.

    Meanwhile, Wang asked agricultural experts at local levels to spare no efforts to guide farmers to adopt suitable pesticides to ensure effective prevention and treatment of rice diseases. Enditem