China has set as one of its most important tasks in 2002 the
vigorous adjustment of the agricultural structure in a move to
increase the income of farmers.
The Central Economic Working Conference, held from November 27 to
29, defined the readjustment of agricultural structure, deepening
of rural reform and increasing farmers' income as major goals for
2002.
The conference said that to further change agricultural and rural
economic set-ups is an important way for improving agricultural
efficiency and boosting farmers' income. It is imperative to
develop quality and special farm produce and expand animal
husbandry into a more profitable industry as soon as possible.
Top priority should be given to the quality, sanitation and safety
of food products, and efforts should be made to establish quality
standards for farm produce, a system for examining and testing farm
produce, and to develop organic and pollution-free food
products.
The conference said agricultural industrialization can help revamp
the structure of the sector and is a major issue in rural economic
work.
More must be done to speed up the return of reclaimed farmland, as
well as barren hills and land, to afforested areas.
The conference also stressed the importance of infrastructure
construction and the improvement of production and living
conditions in rural areas.
The conference held that the fees-to-tax reform in rural areas on
trial basis has shown initial success. Next year, the reform will
be introduced in more areas in the country.
The conference also discussed education, the household contract
responsibility system and other issues in rural areas.
( November 30, 2001)