Challenges aside, govt assures good grain harvest

BEIJING - The Ministry of Agriculture said on Friday it is confident of a good harvest nationwide, despite torrential rains and drought that have hit some grain-growing areas hard this year.

The area planted with autumn grains, including corns, which accounts for more than 70 percent of the country's total grain output, is expected to reach 77.4 million hectares this year, about 0.88 million hectares more than last year, according to statistics from the ministry.

"Overall, the crops are growing well so far," said Chen Mengshan, spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture.