Along with the implementation of a series of policies involving
the agricultural sector established by the Central Economic Working
Conference and the Central Agriculture Working Conference, 800
million farmers in China are set to benefit from?eight aspects
in the new year.
Average farmer net income to increase by 128
yuan
Background: In recent years, the average net income of
Chinese farmers has increased at a low rate of around 2 to 4
percent. Farmers occupy 62.7 percent of China's population while
their gross income is less than 20 percent of the nation's.
Policy: The Central Economic Working Conference:
"Consolidate and strengthen the basic status of agriculture and
increase farmer's income by various means."
Benefit: This year, China will accelerate the market
promotion of agricultural products and help farmers process high
value-added farm produce. The nation will appropriate a 30 percent
grain venture fund as subsidy to farmers. Within three years, the
proportion of the fund used for directly subsidizing farmers will
be raised to 50 percent in main grain producing areas, covering 70
percent of commodity grain output. The average annual net income
for a farmer was 2,574 yuan (US$310) in 2003, while, in 2004, the
income will increase by 128.7 yuan according to a predicted growth
goal of 5 percent.
Farming to become more profitable
Background: Farmers' enthusiasm for growing grains was
affected by low grain prices over the past six years. However, in
November 2003, grain prices rose by 10.8 percent.
Policy: The Central Economic Working Conference:
"Always attach great importance to safeguarding the interests of
main grain production areas and farmers," and "allocate farmers
direct subsidies instead of sending indirect allowances within
circulation processes."
Benefit: Rural financing institutions will relax
restrictions on guarantee terms and time limits for farmers to get
a micro credit, which will ease up difficulties in loan
acquisition.
The Agriculture Development Bank will be allowed to support
qualified non-state-owned grain depots in purchasing surplus grain
from farmers, which will provide more choices for farmers to sell
their grain.
The government will also allocate a certain percentage of fund
from land transferring revenue for constructing high-standard field
infrastructure and help farmers gather in flourishing produce for
high prices and achieve the goal of raising the income of
farmers.
Provide more convenient environment for farm workers
seeking jobs in cities
Background: Among the 485 million countryside labor
force, there are more than 98 million farmers making money outside
their hometown, with 150 million labors being redundant.
Policy: The Central Economic Working Conference:
"Actively guide the countryside surplus work force to migrate
purposefully. "
The Central Agriculture Working Conference: "Do right to farm
workers and defend their legal rights and interests."
Benefit: Some 100 million farmers will work outside
their hometown in 2004. The government will provide more guidance
information for them in seeking job opportunities in urban areas.
Only if they have stable careers and residences can they turn into
registered residents where they live and work according to related
regulations.
The government will abolish employment limitation regulations
for farmers and clean up policies and abusive charges that
discriminate against farmers. The government at all levels will
focus on solving issues like labor protection and the education
rights of migrant workers in the new year.
Reduce farmer's burden in more aspects
Background: The central government has carried out
fee-tax reform in more than 30 provinces and regions throughout the
country, which will reduce much of the financial burden of farmers.
However, farmers still bear heavy charges that limit their ability
to extend their production.
Policy: The Central Economic Working Conference:
"Accelerate the fee-tax reform in pilot areas throughout the
country and reduce agriculture tax rates step-by-step."
The Central Agriculture Working Conference: "Tighten the
management and supervision of charges on farmers."
?
Benefit: State coffers will transfer more funds for paying
the fee-tax reform deficits in rural areas, on the basis of 30.5
billion yuan (US$3.67 billion) from 2003.
It's reported that the average charge on a farmer might be
reduced by 23 yuan if 70 percent of the transferring payment can be
used directly by farmers. For example, in Xiping County of central
China's Henan
Province, the average tax charge on a per mu (666.7
square meters) field may be reduced by 10 yuan if the tax rate was
lowered to 6 percent from 7 percent.
More chances for farmers and their children
Background: Compared to urban residents, farmers are
a?group of under-representation at present both in receiving
quality education and winning competitive opportunity.
??
Policy: The Central Economic Working Conference: "The
newly-added budget from the state on education, culture and public
health service should be mainly used in rural areas."
The Central Agriculture Working Conference: "The government at
all levels should shoulder the task of training farmers and regard
it as a great and even practical deed."
???
Benefit: The government will devote great efforts to
renovating poorly-built classrooms in rural elementary and middle
schools and carrying out compulsory education in poor areas and
long-distance education in central and western China.
Dangerous classrooms in those areas will be rebuilt in three
years and 160 million elementary and middle school students in
rural areas will have access to better conditions and greater
opportunities.
The government will also set up 1,000?reading classrooms
and electronic libraries for science and technology materials.
By 2007, at least 85 percent of western Chinese rural students
will enjoy a nine-year compulsory education, and the illiteracy
rate among youngsters will be under 5 percent.
?
Farmer's medical service to be improved
Background: Since the reform and opening-up policy was
carried out, the condition of rural medical care has improved
remarkably. But a few problems are still severe: the lack of money
for medical expertise, undeveloped medical equipment and
instruments and lack of medical workers. As a result, farmers
suffer from prolonged illnesses and the vicious cycle of
poverty.
Policy: The Central Agriculture Working Conference:
"Strengthen the rural public health system infrastructure
construction and building of technology expertise, speed up the
establishment of a new system for rural cooperative medical
services and actively explore effective measures to ensure poor
families' medical aid. "
Benefit: The former village hospital will be
reevaluated and more public finance given to village clinics.
Considering the actual needs of farmers and their wills, many kinds
of rural cooperative medical services are to be built. In addition,
the government will increase the input in social security in rural
areas. Starting from economically developed zones, a 'minimum life'
insurance system will be gradually set up and farmers' difficult
medical situation will be improved.
?
More attention for the needy
Background: Up until now there are 20 million rural
people suffering from inadequate food or clothing. As most of them
live in remote mountainous area under very rough conditions, the
task gets tougher to help them get rid of poverty.
Policy: The Central Economic Working Conference: "Go on
helping the poor in rural areas through development and increase
poverty-relief fund through various channels."
Benefit: The poverty-relief fund will be given directly
to households and individuals, helping them get more incomes by
creating new paths. The minority areas in?central and western
China and border areas are the first to be helped. Top priority
should be given to solving the problems of housing, water and
electricity. The poorest group who live where ecological
environments are bad will be transferred to other places as
planned. Victims of disasters are to be reduced or exempt from tax
in the light of specific conditions.
More sound public services for rural people
Background: In the past five years, 40.77 billion yuan
has been financed for rural communities, among which T-bond capital
stands at 42.8 percent of the total amount issued, but the cost for
basic public service in rural communities is still in the red.
Policy: The Central Economic Working Conference:
"Further increase the sum of money used in support of farmers and
input in agricultural infrastructure and spend more treasury bonds
on rural areas and agriculture.
The Central Agriculture Working Conference: "Improve local
governments' administration and public services in rural
areas."
Benefit: In 2004, projects related to every rural
resident like drinking water and countryside road construction will
be completed ahead of schedule. Meanwhile more employment
opportunities will be created for rural labors at local level on
the condition of emphasizing the development of leading rural
public service and boosting training for farmers. Furthermore
developing rural infrastructure should be viewed from the balance
and harmony of human beings with nature, together with the
integration of town and country, thus the living standard of
farmers will be improved.
(China.org.cn by Wang Zhiyong and Wang Ruyue, January 2,
2004)