It's now close to two weeks since the quake in Wenchuan County. Rescue work continues, and tens of thousands have yet to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. But for farmers in southwestern Sichuan, there is no time at all to waste. They need to harvest wheat from more than 1.2 million hectares of farmland, or see their hard work go to ruin.

For farmers in southwestern Sichuan, there is no time at all to waste. They need to harvest wheat from more than 1.2 million hectares of farmland, or see their hard work go to ruin.

Missing the harvest this time around will also disrupt planting schedules for the next year all adding up to enormous economic losses. But local authorities are stepping in, offering more than 10 million yuan to help with harvesting activity.

And with labor in very short supply, many soldiers and volunteers have also formed teams to help out. With this added assistance, local authorities say they believe harvest will be complete by the end of the month.

With labor in very short supply, many soldiers and volunteers have also formed teams to help out.

(CCTV May 24, 2008)