BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu has urged beefing up late rice planting in the wake of floods to ensure a good rice harvest.

Hui stressed that soil in the flood-affected regions should be drained as soon as possible. Local authorities should restore damaged farmland to good conditions and make sure late rice is planted on time.

In his recent instructions on late rice production and flood relief in agriculture, he also ordered local authorities to improve service for farmers and ensure seeds are supplied for planting.

Efforts should also be made to strengthen field management and to intensify disaster and pest disease prevention, said Hui.

As of July 21, more than 7 million hectares of farmland in China had been destroyed by torrential rains and floods, according to data from the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.