CRI听力:No 1 Document Focuses on Modern Farming

Popularizing agricultural technologies in rural areas plays a significant role in boosting modern techniques of farming. In the past few decades, farming technology has contributed towards the enhancement of agricultural production and product quality. However, problems still exist.

Shang Huafang is a farming technology trainer in Jiangsu province. He says the lack of updated equipment is an obstacle which prevents him from carrying out his work effectively.

"The equipment in use are more than a decade old. At that time, they were advanced units. But now they are very old."

According to statistics, in developed countries, the funds used to promote farming technology accounts for about 0.6 to 1 percent of the whole agricultural production value. But in China, the rate is less than 0.2 percent.

Another major problem is the lack of professional personnel. Shen Wanjie has been working as a farming technology trainer for more than 20 years. But he is still considered young among his colleagues.

"I am 40 years old. I am still young in this area. Very few people aged between 20 and 30 work in this field. And many of us have already retired."

Statistics reveal that, since 2003, more than 60 percent of China's rural farming technology training institutions have not recruited college or university graduates who are farming related majors.

As a result, only 30 percent of agricultural technologies are actually turned into production forces.

According to the No. 1 Document, China will step up its allocation of resources to rural areas, improve the development mode of farming techniques across the country, and encourage scientific research and development in the agricultural sector.

Yang Xiongnian is the director of the education department at the Ministry of Agriculture.

"The No. 1 Document may help a lot towards easing the subsidy pressure facing the promotion of farming technology, in terms of increasing the funds available to relevant offices."

Under the current situation, increasing the amount of farm land is almost impossible. In such a context, realizing modern methods of farming is the only way for China to enhance the value of its agricultural production.

For CRI, I am Li Dong.