China's State Council, or Cabinet, Wednesday announced measures to support agriculture, given the negative impact of the global downturn.

The measures were taken during a Council executive meeting, chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao.

China announces funding for agriculture amid crisis [CFP]

The meeting was told that the global downturn was still worsening and its negative impact on agricultural production and the rural economy had become more obvious, with global commodity demand and prices slumping.

More should be done to stabilize agricultural production and increase farmers' income, according to the meeting.

It said 3 billion yuan (US$439.2 million) in central funding would be allocated to support building standard pig and dairy farms.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2009)