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January 3, 2011

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Premier's good news for nation's herdsmen

PREMIER Wen Jiabao has stressed that herdsmen's living standards should not be lowered as the nation strives to conserve its grasslands.

Wen made the remarks during a two-day tour to Xilingol, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, that ended yesterday.

From the beginning of this year, China is giving financial assistance to herders for their efforts to conserve grasslands and to compensate them for their losses.

China's pastoral regions are vast and have great development potential. The development of animal husbandry not only helps herders improve their living standards but also concerns cities' non-staple food supply, Wen said.

"Periodic bans are an important step to restore the grasslands. They should be implemented gradually. Herders' living standards should not be lowered and pastoral regions' supply of beef and mutton should not be reduced during the process," the premier said.

Officials should visit yurts to discuss the policy with affected herders, Wen said.

He called on authorities to devise policies for the sound and fast development of pastoral regions.

He also urged local governments to make more efforts to improve grass seeds, livestock and irrigation systems, provide vocational training for herders and facilitate the modernization of stock breeding and pasture areas.

Braving temperatures of minus 25 degrees Celsius, Wen visited the heart of the Xilingol pasture to greet herders in their homes.

He also inspected commodity supplies and prices at a local supermarket before visiting seniors and orphans at local welfare houses.

The premier made the trip less than two months after the central government announced financial assistance for herders in eight provincial-level regions including Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang and Tibet.

The government will give an annual 90 yuan (US$13) per hectare to herders in damaged grassland areas where herding has been banned.

Outside of these regions, residents will receive 22.5 yuan per hectare each year if they keep a herd of sustainable size.

The government will give 150 yuan per hectare to farmers to grow grass of better quality.

Authorities will also give 500 yuan each year as general assistance to each of 2 million herder households.


 

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