China Pledges To Help Country’s Agriculture Industry

China said its government will take all possible measures to ensure farmers’ income growth and adequate supplies of major agricultural products in 2009, USAgNet reports. The government said it will increase agricultural subsidies and help migrant workers who return to the countryside from cities to start up companies.
China’s overseas sales contracted for the first time in seven years last month, forcing exporters to lay off workers or close businesses, adding to risks of social unrest. More than 10 million migrant workers are estimated to have lost their jobs as of the end of November, an official reported.
China, the world’s largest consumer of grain, may harvest a record output this year, the fifth straight increase, according to the statement. Farmers’ per-capita net income was estimated to reach 4,700 yuan ($687), 8% up from last year, an official statement said. ♦