Province refuses to let epidemic get in the way of trading or local economy 

As the nationwide battle against the novel coronavirus epidemic came to a critical stage, authorities in North China's Shanxi province applied equal emphasis to disease control and economic growth.

At a meeting in the provincial capital of Taiyuan on Feb 14, Lou Yangsheng, Party secretary of Shanxi, required that local entities resume normal production and business, while applying strict measures on disease control.

The Party chief stressed the importance of ensuring supplies of products crucial to people's livelihoods and disease control.

On the same day of the meeting, Lou visited farms in Dongyang township, Jinzhong city, to learn about the development of local farming activities and agricultural products supply.

He called on local governments to address problems such as the supply of seeds, fertilizers and farming machines, as well as ensure smooth channels for farming products 'transportation.

"Spring is the crucial period for a year's farming activities. Agricultural production cannot be delayed despite the challenge caused by the coronavirus outbreak," Lou said.

This year is likely to be a good year for grain production in Shanxi, according to local agricultural experts.

"The weather this winter, which featured more frequent snow, will benefit growth of wheat," said Liu Zhifeng, an expert at the Shanxi Agricultural Technology Promotion Station.

On Feb 6, farmers in Xiezhou township in Yuncheng city were busy weeding on the fields.

"The wheat grows better with higher temperatures and more snow this winter. It looks set that we will have a good harvest in early summer," said Hou Biewa, a local farmer.

"We had a quiet Spring Festival because of the outbreak of the epidemic. But I believe it will be over eventually and the wheat on the field will be the hope of our better lives," Hou said.

In Chengzi village in Xingxu county, there are more than 130 hectares of greenhouses for various vegetables.

"We are supplying vegetables to cities in Shanxi and the rest of the country. We hope we can play a role in fighting against the epidemic by stabilizing food supply," said Wang Zhimin, a farmer in the village.