The drastic weather changes this year have recently led to an outbreak of blast disease on rice fields.

The agricultural authorities are reminding farmers to step up on their prevention efforts to avoid greater losses.

These brown spots on the leaves are a clear indication of the rice blast disease, which usually affect rice plantations every spring after the tomb-sweeping festival.

And it may lead to significant losses in productivity if preventive measures are not taken properly.

In order to raise awareness about the onset of the disease, members of the Farmers' Association have been keeping a closer watch in the rice fields of late, while introducing a relatively easy way to prevent the blast from spreading.

According to the experts, adjustments in the amount of irrigation and fertilizer used can effectively lower the temperature of the paddy fields and reduce the chances of blast outbreaks.

And the agricultural authorities have been urging rice farmers to adopt similar measures as soon as possible to ensure a satisfactory harvest.