The per capita disposable income of rural residents in China reached 12,363 yuan ($1,870) in 2016, up 47.4 percent compared to 2012, according to the Third National Agricultural Census released by China’s National Bureau of Statistics on Dec. 14.

The census revealed that rural residents’ living quality, sense of gain, and happiness all increased thanks to the country’s efforts in recent years.

The number of China’s agricultural business units had reached 2.04 million by the end of 2016, up 417.4 percent compared to 2006, and farmers’ professional cooperatives hit 910,000.

The census showed that water conservation was improved and the level of agricultural mechanization was promoted, both of which advance agricultural labor productivity and free farmers from heavy labor.

Perfect agricultural infrastructure is a fundamental guarantee for enhancing comprehensive agricultural production capacity, and an important symbol of modern agricultural development, Ning Jizhe, head of the bureau noted.

In addition, the census pointed out that China has made progress in improving basic social services in rural areas in recent years.

Villages with kindergartens and clinics across the country now account for 32.3 percent and 81.9 percent, respectively. About 44,000 agricultural business owners and 51,000 such units now sell their agricultural products online.

Housing conditions of rural residents have also been improved in recent years, the census disclosed.