China's Ministry of Agriculture on Sunday stressed it would assure that there is a stable supply of farm produce amid ongoing icy weather as the nation's most important traditional festival approaches.

The ministry urged local authorities, in a notice on its website, to make every effort to ensure continued agriculture production as the freezing weather threatens abundant supplies, which are critical during the Spring Festival, the annual season for family reunions.

Temperatures and humidity in vegetable greenhouses and corrals should be kept at proper levels, while exposure to frigid weather by poultry and livestock should be minimized.

The ministry also asked local departments to facilitate the smooth transporting to markets of fresh farm produce.

Freezing weather in south China has forced the evacuation of at least 58,000 people from their homes over the past week, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Southern China will experience more icy rain and snow from Sunday to Thursday, where freezing weather has hit since the New Year's Day, the National Meteorological Center reported Sunday.

(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2011)