The United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
has approved five technical cooperation programs recently to help
China promote its agricultural production, said an official from
the FAO Chinese Office.
Totaling more than 1.8 million US dollars, these programs
include a fodder production project in southwest China's Tibet
Autonomous Region, a water hyacinth control project, emergency
assistance for the control of avian influenza in China, supply of
basic agricultural material aid to farmers affected by floods in
east China's Anhui Province, and promotion of advanced straw
utilization technologies in east China's Jiangsu Province.
For the fodder production project, the FAO plans to provide
365,000 US dollars for one international consultant and two
national experts in the country's Tibetan autonomous region to
carry out field missions.
In addition, the project will also offer advisory technical
services such as training programs on double cropping technology in
the region. Usually, crops are harvested only once a year in the
region.
The official said that the region's fodder production has been
stunted by traditional farming methods. "The region needs new
farming techniques to turn out more nutritious fodder to develop
its animal husbandry."
Another project seeks to promote the integrated control of water
hyacinths in the country. The floating aquatic plant consumes a
large amount of oxygen and often clogs waterways, menacing the
survival of other plants and animals, according to experts. The
project is expected to contribute to the surging production of
fishery in China.
Since 1978, FAO has carried out over 200 technical cooperation
programs in China.
(Xinhua News Agency February 13, 2004)