Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu said the modernization of
agriculture is a strategic element in the national campaign to
build a new countryside.
Modern agriculture is a key means of securing stable food
supplies and raising farmers' incomes, Hui said when inspecting
agricultural setups in East China's Shandong Province.
"We should strive to expand agricultural production and sharpen
the competitive edge of farm produce by modernizing traditional
agricultural production," the vice premier said.
Hui visited several installations including modern farming pilot
bases, hi-tech agricultural zones, leading enterprises and farm
produce export bases, during his six-day visit to Shandong
Province.
He said the development of modern agriculture should keep
abreast of the pace of the country's industrialization and
urbanization drive. More efforts should be made to build a
comprehensive agriculture support system.
Hui noted that as both harvest time and seedtime are drawing
near, local governments should provide advice, promote practical
farm technologies and stabilize the market price of grain.
(Xinhua News Agency September 19, 2006)