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| Premier Highlights Rural Work （1） |
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Premier Zhu Rongji highlighted the importance of "accelerating the development of agriculture and the rural economy and increasing the incomes of farmers," in the Report on the Work of the Government delivered at the opening of the annual session of the National People's Congress （NPC） Tuesday.
Developing the agricultural productive forces and raising farmers' purchasing power are an important aspect of the effort to stimulate domestic demand, and have a bearing on overall national economic development and social stability, the premier said, adding that strengthening agriculture and increasing farmers' incomes should be taken as a major task in the economic work.
Increase in farmers' incomes and reduction in their burdens will be an important criterion for judging the agricultural and rural work, he stressed.
In the final analysis, to increase farmers' incomes it is necessary to accelerate agricultural and rural economic restructuring, vigorously develop industrial management of agriculture and promote the modernization of traditional agriculture, he said.
Zhu said that the government will make great efforts to extend the use of improved crop strains and advanced technology, accelerate the development of high quality, special－purpose and pollution－free agricultural products. Agricultural restructuring will continue, and animal husbandry and aquaculture will be developed vigorously, he noted.
According to the premier, the patterns of agricultural production will be adjusted and optimized in the light of regional advantages.
Coastal regions and suburbs of large and medium－sized cities should energetically develop high－efficiency agriculture. The main grain producers in the central region should take advantage of the fact that the main grain purchasers have given up a certain part of the grain market and increase the production of high quality grain, increase the overall benefits deriving from grain production and become more competitive on the market.
The western region needs to expand the production of agricultural products with distinct local characteristics and develop drought－resistant and environmentally friendly agriculture. The export of farm produce needs to be expanded.
China will promote joint operations between farmers and companies and encourage farmers to grow crops on a contract basis so as to gradually integrate the production, processing and marketing of agricultural products, according to the premier.
The government will step up the development of a number of leading enterprises that can give strong impetus to agricultural production in a large area, and deepen the reform of the system of agricultural scientific research and dissemination of agricultural technology.
Producers, research institutes and schools are encouraged to work together, he said, stressing that the government will continue to implement the Spark Program to speed up the translation of scientific and technological achievements in agriculture into productive forces and spread the use of these achievements.
In carrying out agricultural restructuring, it is a must to follow market demand, proceed from realities, and respect farmers' wishes, and on no account must coercion and commandism be allowed, he said.
In order to create a favorable market environment, governments at all levels must work out feasible plans, increase scientific and technological input in agriculture, improve their services, and improve the quality standard and certification system, the inspection and testing system, and the market information system for agricultural products, he noted.
According to the premier, the following must be done to increase farmers' incomes considerably as fast as possible:
First, more farmland will be returned to forests. The achievements over the past two years have proved that returning arable land to forests （or pastures and lakes） in the central and western regions is both an important measure for improving the ecological environment and promoting agricultural restructuring and an effective way of directly increasing farmers' incomes.
With ample supplies of grain and other agricultural products, the government is currently in a good position to accelerate the return of farmland to forests. More land will be restored to forests this year than before, and rest－grazing will be promoted.
China will quicken the pace of planting trees on barren hills and uncultivated land wherever possible. Guidance should be tailored to individual local conditions. （more）
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