Commentary: Rainy Harvest Season Highlights Gaps in Disaster Relief

The autumn harvest in Henan, Shandong, and Shanxi provinces is nearing completion, but persistent and heavy rainfall has led to significant agricultural losses, prompting critical questions about disaster prediction, resource allocation, and support for affected farmers. The main challenges highlighted include improving predictive warning systems, optimizing resource distribution, ensuring rapid aid delivery, and protecting farmers’ livelihoods from the direct impacts of extreme weather events. These issues require urgent attention to prevent severe consequences for both crop yields and rural economies. [para. 1]

Since September, record-breaking rainfall has been recorded in Henan and Shandong, making this period the wettest in over six decades. By October 6, the provincial average precipitation in Henan reached 328.9 millimeters, 2.7 times the historical average, and the number of rainy days was 24.5, or almost 10 days more than usual. These figures are the highest for the period since 1961. [para. 2]

The impact on the ground has been severe. In parts of Henan, such as Luoyang and Zhumadian, corn remained unharvested as late as October 22, with kernels rotting and sprouting in the fields. In many cases, farmers have resorted to hand-picking their crops under adverse conditions, with small-scale families forced to work for over 10 days straight, pausing only when the rain became unbearable. Large-scale growers are often left waiting for clear weather, risking further loss and delaying subsequent planting cycles, which compounds financial distress. [para. 3]

Extreme weather has become more frequent in recent years, intensifying the need to strengthen disaster prevention and response. The “autumn harvest rain disaster” demonstrates the narrow window for harvest and planting, underscoring the urgency of timely, mechanized intervention. Nevertheless, prolonged rain events, though not instantly catastrophic, cause comprehensive and often irreversible damage, erasing a year’s effort within days or weeks. [para. 4]

Despite the early anticipation of a challenging harvest as far back as September, thanks to weather monitoring, local and national authorities took pre-emptive action. This involved issuing risk warnings, distributing subsidy funds, sending tracked harvesters to affected zones, and maintaining drying facilities. As a result, this season's crisis was not wholly unexpected or unprepared for. [para. 5]

However, shortcomings remain, particularly in getting emergency resources to small-scale farmers. According to field investigations, many public drying stations require a minimum delivery volume, making it difficult for smaller farmers to access help, and while subsidies are theoretically available, practical benefits often fail to reach these individuals. There is an urgent need for a more equitable disaster relief system that directly benefits all affected farmers, not just large-scale producers. [para. 6]

Agricultural insurance currently offers minimal support, with payouts often barely covering the cost of insurance premiums unless there is total crop failure. Some affected growers report that compensation has not been received this year, and expectations remain low. This highlights the inadequacy of insurance as a safety net against disasters. [para. 7]

Ultimately, the article argues that farmers’ experiences and feedback are crucial for improving disaster response mechanisms. While systemic actions coordinated from above are essential, lessons must be learned from the real-world effects experienced at ground level. Affected farmers’ voices are often muted but must be heard to prompt more inclusive and effective relief and recovery efforts with the involvement of NGOs, the media, and the broader society. [para. 8][para. 9]

[para. 10][para. 11] Zhou Dongxu is a reporter at Caixin Media; opinions are those of the author.