Agricultural Adjustments Benefit Farmers in Beijing SuburbsThe per capita net income of farmers in Beijing suburbs reached 4,687 yuan (567 U.S. dollars) last year, up 7.3 percent from 1999, according to official statistics.Officials attributed the increment to efficient agricultural readjustments to help farmers produce more fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs and fodder other than traditional rice and wheat. Statistics show that fresh fruits, vegetables and meats sold well and are popular among Beijing urban citizens. People now pay more attention to nutrition, freshness, style and taste. To meet the demand, farmers expanded the acreage for growing fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs while moderately reducing that for grain. In 2000, the acreage for vegetables and flowers hit 900,000 mu (60,000 hectares) and 100,000 mu (6,700 hectares) and that for fruit expanded by 250,000 mu (17,000 hectares), according to governmental statistics. In 2000, cash crops accounted for 45 percent of the total, up 9 percent from 1999. Beijing farmers also invested 910 million yuan (110 million US dollars) in livestock breeding last year. |
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