The per capita income of farmers in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, surged by 7.6 percent year on year to reach 6,600 yuan (798 US dollars) last year, the greatest growth rate since 1997, according to local agricultural department.

The Guangzhou City Agricultural Department said Saturday the city's agricultural output value rose by 6.6 percent year on year to hit 20 billion yuan (2.41 billion US dollars) last year.

The fast urbanization and readjustment of traditional agricultural operations have resulted in absorbing a large number of excess rural laborers. Last year, the city government helped 50,000 farmers find non-agricultural jobs through training on practical skills.

The city has set a goal to help 100,000 more laborers find jobs in non-agricultural sectors this year.

Currently, Guangzhou has 10 center towns with a total gross domestic product (GDP) of 27.55 billion yuan (3.33 billion US dollars) last year, an increase of 14.3 percent year on year.

Another group of five center towns is under construction.