Governments at all levels throughout China are expected to allocate more than 200 billion yuan (US$24.2 billion) to farmers this year, largely to education, training and health programs, said an anonymous State Council official.

The figure means that each of the 9 million farmers in China will receive an average of 222 yuan (US$26.8).

The official said that the specific amount the government contributes might be disclosed in this year's budget report, which will be considered by lawmakers at the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), opening on Saturday.

Bridging the urban-rural development gap is a major component of China's efforts to build a harmonious society.

Programs will include training courses on agricultural science and technology to be provided to 100,000 farmers in 100 counties nationwide. Courses are expected to have a ripple effect, with initial trainees spreading information to some 2 million farmers.

No less than 70 percent of this year's departmental budget increases in education, health and culture organizations will be earmarked for rural areas.

Financial support will be provided for short-course training of two and a half million farmers-turned-worker. This plan will focus mainly on farmers from major labor export provinces, leading grain growing provinces, former revolutionary bases and poverty-stricken areas.

One hundred trial cooperative organizations of farmers engaged in specialized businesses and trades in 11 areas will be supported, with an eye toward encouraging output of well-known local agricultural products. Financial support will be weighted toward production, processing, storage, transportation and marketing, information access and technical training.

(Xinhua News Agency March 4, 2005)