Abstract: This study aims to analyze the occurrence and distribution of major agricultural disasters in Anhui Province and explore corresponding countermeasures for disaster prevention and mitigation, thus providing reference for realizing sustainable agricultural development and ensuring food security in Anhui Province. Based on the data of agricultural disasters, grain-planting area and total grain output in Anhui Province during 1978-2012, the impacts of agricultural disasters on agricultural production and the occurrence and distribution patterns of major agricultural disasters, such as flood, drought, wind hail and frost in Anhui Province were analyzed. Moreover, corresponding countermeasures for disaster prevention and mitigation were proposed. The results showed that, since 1978, agro-meteorological disasters occurred frequently in Anhui Province. The affected area was particularly large in 1991, 1998 and 2003. Overall, total grain yield in Anhui Province exhibited an upward trend; area covered and affected by agro-meteorological disaster was negatively correlated with total grain yield. In 1979-2012, total grain yield in Anhui Province exhibited a cyclical fluctuation and was negatively correlated with annual growth rate of affected area, with every three years as one cycle. Drought, flood, hail and frost were the major disasters affecting agricultural production and development in Anhui Province. Specifically, flood and drought were the most major disasters, causing over 80% of area covered and affected by agro-meteorological disasters in those years with severe hazards. The drought disaster-covered area index was greater than flood disaster-covered area index in most cities of Anhui Province, indicating that drought was the most important agro-meteorological disaster affecting agricultural production and development in Anhui Province. This study provided technical basis and reference for effective management of agricultural disaster risks and development of relevant strategies in Anhui Province.