The government departments at all levels throughout China are expected to allocate more than 200 billion yuan (about 24 billion US dollars) for farmers' benefits this year, which means each of the 9 million farmers in China can receive an average of 222 yuan, an official of the State Council has disclosed.

The specific amount of government input in agriculture may possibly be disclosed in this year's budget, a report to be deliberated by lawmakers at the annual session of the National People's Congress slated for opening on Saturday, said the official on condition of anonymity.

Following are some major policy aspects of the central and provincial governments in support of agriculture, farmers and rural areas, a major issue with a bearing on China's efforts to build a "harmonious socialist society":

-- Training courses on agro-science and technology will be provided to 100,000 farmers in 100 counties around the country, in a hope they will help 2 million farmers acquire basic science and technology to promote agricultural production;

-- No less than 70 percent of this year's newly added budgeted expenditure of government departments at various levels on education, health and cultural undertakings will be tilted to rural areas so that rural residents can enjoy more social welfare benefits;

-- Two and a half million farmer workers will undergo training with government financial support, and the short-term training program on non-agriculture sectors will be focused mainly on farmers in major labor force export provinces, leading grain growing provinces, old revolutionary bases

and poverty-stricken areas; and

-- One hundred demonstration cooperative organizations of farmers engaged in specialized businesses and trades are to be cultivated in 11 areas with preferential conditions for turning out more well-known agricultural and local produce. Financial support to this end will be put in production, product processing, storage, transportation and marketing, access to information, and technical training.

Source: Xinhua