Farmers in Shanghai became the richest in China in 2004 thanks
to their fast-growing incomes.
According to the statistics released by Shanghai Municipal
Agricultural Administration, the per capita annual income of
Shanghai farmers amounted to 7,300 yuan (US$880) last year, a
year-on-year increase of ten percent, highest in the past seven
years.
A large part of the income came from the social security system
instituted in Shanghai's rural areas. About 550,000 farmers have
joined the system.
The farmers have, on the average, received 440 yuan (about
US$53) last year from medical insurance, subsidies for aged farmers
and allowances for basic living standard.
They also receive a 370-yuan (about US$45) pension every
month.
At the same time, the municipal government took measures to help
increase the farmers' earnings from their property. Last year,
Shanghai farmer earned an average of 290 yuan (about US$35) from
house renting and dividends.
Shanghai has established a systematic training program and 1.8
million farmers are now working in nonagricultural business.
(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2005)