Farmers benefit from forest-for-grain program ( 2003-11-30 10:15) (Xinhua) Chinese farmers involved in
the government program to return low-yield and hilly cropland to forest and
grass have acquired 11.4 million tons of grain as subsidies from the government.
The government launched the forest-for-grain program in 1998. Since then,
more than 13 million rural households have turned their cropland to forests and
grassland, according to a mid-term assessment report.
By the end of 2002, more than 53 million farmers each received 215 kg of
grain as government subsidies, which values 230 yuan (27. 8 US dollars) counted
on the current grain price.
The report estimates that by the end of this year, 15.1 million hectares of
land will have been returned to forests and grassland across the country, or
half of the task will have been fulfilled. The survival rate of trees and grass
surveyed is up to the state standards.
The report says improvements in the environment are remarkable in areas where
the program is carried out, with soil erosion reduced and vegetation coverage
expanded. The program has also helped promote agricultural restructuring in
these areas.
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