Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu on Sunday encouraged farmers to
start their own businesses as a way out of poverty.
He said increasing farmer's income is a strategic and important
task for governments.
"The construction of a new socialist countryside and the
comprehensive and sustainable economic and social development
require new types of farmers who have basic knowledge of both
farming techniques and business," he said.
He said at a national meeting for awarding elite private
businessmen on Sunday that governments at all levels should
establish favorable policies and laws to encourage farmers to start
their own businesses.
He said China has a huge rural market that offers big potential
for rural labor employment and farmer-initiated businesses.
Governments should provide technical education to farmers who
want to cultivate the land and to farmers who want to start their
own business, Hui said.
He asked farmers to strictly abide by laws and regulations when
operating their own business.
(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2006)