More than 800 million peasants living in rural China have only been schooled for an average 7.3 years, and their knowledge of science is only one-sixths that of city residents, it was announced at the Farmers Science Knowledge Forum held on December 19. Furthermore, only 9.1 percent have undergone any kind of professional skill training and less than 5 percent have an agricultural education. Most of the country laborers are physical labors using traditional farming methods, and have not mastered modern production technology.

Wei Chaoan, the Vice Minister of Agriculture said that Chinese farmers generally have a low knowledge of science. The new generation of farmers which has scientific knowledge and management skills is very much in the minority. Policies, money and facilities for farmers'education and training are not easy to provide efficiently. Thus, he said, China must realize the importance of improving farmers' knowledge of science on a strategic level to encourage the building of new country villages and a harmonious society.

By People's Daily Online