BEIJING - Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu has called for intensified efforts by local government leaders, agricultural experts and farmers to ensure that China will reap another bumper harvest of grain this year.

Hui's call comes in the midst of the worst drought to hit the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in more than 60 years. These areas are key production areas for grain and other agricultural products.

The regions affected by the persistent drought should take all necessary measures to ensure a stable supply of water for production and people's daily life, Hui said during a two-day inspection tour in North China's Hebei province. Hui's tour concluded on Thursday.

He encouraged farmers to improve the way their fields are managed in order to ensure a good harvest for the summer. He also called for preparations against disaster weather, intensifying early warning of drought and rains so as to reduce losses from disasters to the lowest level.

Hui also chaired a grain production meeting with provincial government officials during his tour.

Hui said harvesters and other agricultural machinery should be checked and repaired in advance. In addition, the local government should help farmers to optimize their farms by guaranteeing a supply of agricultural production materials, Hui said.

China's grain output rose 2.9 percent year-on-year in 2010 to reach 546.41 million metric tons, marking the seventh consecutive year of growth.