China's coastal province of Zhejiang reported stable development in agriculture last year, according to the provincial statistics bureau.
In 2002, the province continued to introduce market forces to its agricultural sector and further improved its agricultural structure.
According to statistics, the province cut production of grains to 9.4 million tons, 10.7 percent less than the previous year.
Meanwhile, Zhejiang promoted the production of cash crops such as vegetables, medicinal materials and flowers, the planting areas of which increased by 9.2 percent, 15.7 percent and 90.2 percent respectively.
A fall was seen in the fishing yield, 7.1 percent down over 2001. However, sea and fresh water aquiculture yields increased by6.9 percent and 7.8 percent respectively.
(Xinhua News Agency February 5, 2003)
