NANJING — Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua has stressed efforts to promote spring agricultural production and boost water conservancy construction.

Hu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour to regions along the Huaihe River from Feb 17 to 20.

The growing conditions of winter wheat have been under pressure due to various adverse factors, including abnormal autumn floods, he said, calling for efforts to strengthen field management with targeted measures, carry out pest control and intensify technical guidance to secure food production targets.

He urged the relevant departments to improve water conservancy construction along the Huaihe River and accelerate major projects to enhance the flood-discharge capacity in the middle and lower reaches of the river.

Efforts should be made to improve the layout of flood diversion and storage areas, and reinforce facilities for flood control, drainage and water diversion, in a bid to increase the capability of guarding against floods and droughts.