A field study group, consisting of leaders from MOST Department of Rural Science and Technology and 8 experts of agriculture, forestry, water resources and climatology, began a field study in Shilin County and Luliang County on March 22, Yunnan Province.

The field study indicated that drought was extremely severe in Yunnan, and combating such drought brooked no delay. The experts held discussions with representatives from local governments and residents in Luliang. Attendants agreed that the scientific and technological community should take the lead in combating drought, including providing new drought-resistant crops, finding water resources through new technologies, and preparing for the cultivation of seedlings in the spring.