China discloses annual agriculture budget

The Chinese government vows to develop modern agriculture and promote the
building of a new countryside. “We will effectively shift the focus of state
infrastructure development and development of social programs to the
countryside,” Wen told almost 3,000 lawmakers at the opening meeting of the
Fifth Session of the Tenth National People’s Congress (NPC), the top
legislature.

The allocations from the central government budget will total 391.7 billion
yuan (€38.56 billion) this year, an increase of 52 billion yuan (€5.11b) over
last year and 94.2 billion yuan (€9.27) over the year of 2005.

Grain shortage
Agriculture, as the base of the country’s
economy, remains weak, and it is now more difficult than ever to steadily
increase grain production and keep rural incomes growing, Wen said. A recent
study by a government affiliated newspaper revealed that China could face a 4.8
million tonnes grain shortage in 2010, which is almost 9% of the country’s grain
use.

Wen said this year’s work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers
will focus on accelerating the development of modern agriculture and effectively
promoting the building of a new socialist countryside.

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