The gap between the incomes of rural and urban residents is
continuing to widen despite an increase in farmers' incomes, a
senior agricultural official said Thursday.
Vice-Minister of Agriculture Yin Chengjie said the per capita
net income of farmers has increased by more than 6 percent for
three consecutive years, the first time since 1985.
Last year, farmers' average per capita net income was 3,587 yuan
(US$480), up 7.4 percent on the previous year.
In the first half of this year, the figure was 2,111 yuan, a
year-on-year increase of 13 percent, the fastest growth since
1995.
But their incomes are still behind those of urban residents, Yin
said.
"The ratio of urban and rural residents' income was 3.28:1 last
year, up from 3.21:1 in 2004, and the difference in per capita
income has reached 8,173 yuan," he said.
In order to decrease the gap and boost farmers' incomes the
government will continue to adopt favorable policies to farmers,
promote modern agricultural methods and encourage the transfer of
rural labor, Yin said.
Ministry figures showed at least 210 million rural laborers have
migrated to cities or townships last year. In the first six months
of this year, the number of migrant workers increased by 8.6
million, a year-on-year growth of 8.1 percent.
"(This migration) has caused problems, such as leaving just
women and old farmers to cultivate farmland," Yin said.
"But it adds to farmers' incomes and many of them have broadened
their horizons and learned new skills."
Yin said grain production had increased since 2004.
This year, despite severe natural disasters, the summer harvest
output was 115 billion kg of grain, a year-on-year growth of 1.5
billion kg.
"The year's grain output depends on the autumn harvest. So far,
the grain is growing well, with both the sowing areas and
high-yield crop areas larger than last year," he said.
"If there is no early frost or low temperatures, we should have
a good autumn harvest."
Jia Youling, chief veterinary officer of the Ministry of
Agriculture, said at the same news conference the blue-ear epidemic
is under control.
Just 14 counties in seven provinces still have the epidemic. He
said more than 2 million pigs have been vaccinated, after 286
counties in 26 provinces reported the epidemic earlier this
year.
(China Daily September 14, 2007)