Farmers' incomes rise rapidly for an 11th straight year this year; urban-rural income ratio expected to narrow
Economic Daily, Beijing, December 23 (Reporter Qiao Jinliang) - The reporter learned from the National Agricultural Work Conference held today: this year China's agricultural and rural economy achieved steady progress, improved quality and greater efficiency from a high starting point. After grain output achieved an “11th consecutive increase” and surpassed the 1.2 trillion jin mark for 2 consecutive years, farmers' incomes this year achieved an “11th consecutive rapid increase.” The growth rate of farmers' incomes will exceed the growth rates of both gross domestic product and urban residents' incomes for the 5th consecutive year, and the urban-rural income ratio is expected to narrow to within 3:1.
Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu said that the sound situation in the agricultural and rural economy has provided strong support for “stabilizing growth, adjusting structure, promoting reform and improving people's livelihoods” under the new normal, and has played the role of a “stabilizing anchor” for the overall economic and social development. It is understood that stabilizing grain production and increasing incomes became highlights of the whole year. Supplies of cotton, oil, sugar, fruit, vegetables, tea, meat, eggs, milk, aquatic products and other products were ample, and the market operated generally smoothly. No major agricultural product quality and safety incidents or regional major animal epidemics occurred throughout the year. Agricultural machinery, agricultural reclamation and the agricultural product processing industry developed steadily, rural reform advanced solidly, and new steps were taken in confirming, registering and issuing certificates for land contractual management rights, innovating the agricultural operation system and reforming target prices for agricultural products. Reform of the seed industry, agricultural reclamation and rural finance advanced steadily, and new progress was made in the development of rural reform pilot areas and national modern agriculture demonstration zones.
A policy support system covering all areas and links of agricultural production has taken initial shape. In 2014, China's agricultural system actively promoted the introduction of subsidies for confirmation, registration and certification work, and launched subsidy pilots for the treatment and restoration of heavy metal-contaminated farmland, resource utilization of livestock and poultry manure, and expansion of beef cattle and mutton sheep breeding stock; new breakthroughs were made in financial and insurance support for agriculture, and various financial support-for-agriculture pilot trials were rolled out one after another; efforts were made to increase support for farmers' income growth, and multiple measures were taken to promote farmers' employment and income growth.
Production and supply of “shopping basket” products are guaranteed. Large-scale and standardized production of horticultural crops reached a new level, and the area and output of vegetables and fruits achieved a “double increase.” The transformation and upgrading of the livestock industry was promoted, and large-scale standardized breeding was guided. It is estimated that annual meat and milk output will increase by 0.8% and 6.6% respectively over the previous year. Ecological protection of fishery waters was strengthened, and modern fishery development was advanced. It is estimated that annual aquatic product output will increase by 3.7% over the previous year.
Support from agricultural science and technology, equipment and talent was strengthened. It is estimated that the contribution rate of agricultural science and technology progress will reach 56% this year, and the comprehensive mechanization level of crop cultivation, planting and harvesting will exceed 61%. The Ministry of Agriculture said that this year China accelerated the establishment of a new mechanism for modern seed industry development, created a new mechanism for joint research on improved varieties by industry, academia and research institutes, and promoted mechanization in weak links such as rapeseed, cotton and sugarcane.