China has set a 12 percent annual growth target for the agricultural products processing industry during the 2006-2010 period, said the Ministry of Agriculture on Friday.

The output value of the industry is expected to reach seven trillion yuan (about 900 billion U.S. dollars) by 2010, according to a five-year program mapped out by the ministry.

The ministry said China would build more agricultural processing bases for grain, oil plants, fruit, vegetables, livestock and aquatic products over the five years.

The agricultural processing industry saw an average annual growth of 15 percent from 2000 to 2005. It has become an important means of providing employment opportunities and raising farmers' incomes.

Source: Xinhua