Farmers in Shanghai became the richest in China in 2004 thanks to their fast-growing incomes.

According to the statistics released by Shanghai Municipal Agricultural Administration, the per capita annual income of Shanghai farmers amounted to 7,300 yuan (US$880) last year, a year-on-year increase of ten percent, highest in the past seven years.

A large part of the income came from the social security system instituted in Shanghai's rural areas. About 550,000 farmers have joined the system.

The farmers have, on the average, received 440 yuan (about US$53) last year from medical insurance, subsidies for aged farmers and allowances for basic living standard.

They also receive a 370-yuan (about US$45) pension every month.

At the same time, the municipal government took measures to help increase the farmers' earnings from their property. Last year, Shanghai farmer earned an average of 290 yuan (about US$35) from house renting and dividends.

Shanghai has established a systematic training program and 1.8 million farmers are now working in nonagricultural business.

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2005)