The year of 2003 has been designated "the year of agricultural technology," and a nationwide scheme to promote the products in which China has a competitive advantage through technological innovation has been formulated, Du said.

In the first step, the scheme has been carried out in the production of soybean with high oil content, special-purpose corn and wheat, cotton and dairy, according to ministry sources.

The key objective of the scheme is to increase the competitive advantage enjoyed by Chinese agricultural products, through the application of low-cost and effective agri-technology to the production of agricultural products, explained Zhang Baowen, vice-minister of agriculture.

Zhang said China will cultivate a series of high-tech agricultural enterprises and press ahead with research on advanced agri-technology to boost eco-farming.

Chinese farmers will also benefit from the scheme, Zhang said, adding that the Agriculture Ministry will continue the "green" training program on eco-farming for farmers.

The program also includes courses designed to assist rural laborers in transferring to tertiary industries.

Zhang said the ministry plans to build 500 "farming technological bookstores" in west China and to provide free agricultural books and video materials to local farmers.

(Xinhua News Agency February 28, 2003)