Yingkou's Organic Produce Heads to Overseas MarketsWith the prices of agricultural products staying low in the domestic market, this port city in Northeast China's Liaoning Province is targeting markets overseas.A batch of export-orientated production bases will be established in addition to the existing 26 bases. These production bases will mainly produce vegetables, fruit, seafood, organic food, flowers and poultry products. "First of all, we will target countries which border China such as Russia, South Korea and Japan," said Li Wenke, mayor of the city. He said the city is expected to earn US$65 million from the export of agricultural products, 30 per cent higher than last year. The city will also invite foreign investment in its agricultural sector. Twenty agricultural projects will be listed for foreign co-operation at the coming Liaoning Trade and Investment Fair, to be held in Hong Kong in mid-May. The city also hopes foreign agricultural experts will come to help train and advise local technicians. To improve agricultural efficiency and boost farmers' incomes, the city is also readjusting its agricultural structure. More efforts will be paid to develop aquatic and animal husbandry industries, Li said. Farmers are being encouraged to grow organic products and high value-added products to meet market demand and increase their incomes. "Farmers' enthusiasm for planting is expected to cool down if we don't take measures to ensure a rise in their income," Li said. "The low buying ability of farmers also affect sales of industrial products." Priority will be given to the development of an agricultural processing industry. Twenty township enterprises involved in the production of silkworm cocoons, flowers, seafood, vegetables, poultry, beef and fruit will be established. |
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