An official from the National Bureau of Statistics called for a reduction of the prices of agricultural equipment to ensure the growth of farmers' revenue this year, the Economic Information Daily reported Thursday.

The report, quoting an official with the National Bureau of Statistics, said the prices of agricultural means of production increased 10.6 percent in 2004, compared with the 1.4 percent increase in 2003.

As a result, farmers' average per capita expenditure on fertilizers, seeds and feed was 78 yuan (9.43 US dollars) more in 2004 than that in 2003. The increase has lead to a decline in the revenue growth.

In January this year, the price of fertilizers and seeds increased 25 percent in Henan, Heilongjiang, Hunan and Jiangsu provinces and in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

The official also called for reducing the export of agricultural means of production to ensure domestic demand and help reduce the prices of such materials.

Source: Xinhua