He told Xinhua excitedly, "Now no one can stop me from growing green rice. It makes more money."

Di is not the only one to benefit from the new business. More and more of his fellow farmers in this country are turning to growing organic crops, as more health-conscious Chinese choose organic foods from grain, edible oil, fruits, vegetables and meat,to milk, wine and drinks.

Agricultural experts say the scale of green food production is still small, but they are optimistic about the great potential forthis newly popular type of health food.

Statistics show China's output of organic food has increased 29 times in the last decade. Annual production amounts to 15 million tons, amounting to 3 percent of the total food market.

The new agricultural business is booming in this northeastern province, which boasts a less polluted environment and a balanced ecology. The nation's biggest cash grain production base now claims 14.45 million mu (one million hectares) in organic grains, up 40 percent from the previous year and nearly one tenth of its total cultivated land.

Profits are also made by neighboring Jilin Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, as local authorities see in the increasing market a new boost for the local economy. Promoting organic crops has become a top priority in agricultural restructuring in these regions.

With organic brands of rice, milk and millet finding a niche inthe national market, the new business has become a primary source of farmer income.

These foods labeled "green and healthy" have also entered the world market with exports to the United States and Japan.

The Heilongjiang Provincial agricultural authority said that the province planned to plant more land in such healthy and profitable crops. Large-scale production is expected in a couple of years with emphasis on improving nutritional value.

(Xinhua News Agency July 18, 2002)