Agricultural scientists are being urged to give priority to research in order to improve the field's structure and efficiency, the environment and the competitiveness of farm produce in the global market in the next 10-15 years, Vice-Premier Li Lanqing said yesterday.

Li was speaking at the National Conference of Agricultural Science and Technology, which opened yesterday.

He said China has set itself a goal - that its agricultural science and technology will be among the best in the world within the next three decades.

President Jiang Zemin met with participants of the meeting which is an important event for China's agricultural sector in the 2001-05 period when the country implements its 10th Five-Year Plan for social and economic development.

Li said that in the 10th Five-Year Plan period, the development of agricultural technology will hopefully continue to ensure that China has enough grain, while supporting agricultural restructuring and an increase in the income of farmers.

It should also support the exploration of resources, environmental protection and the sustainable growth of the agricultural sector, he said.

Agricultural science and technology should serve as a basis for expanding the farm produce market, and major progress should be made in research to narrow the gap between China and other countries that already have advanced agricultural technology.

The vice-premier said that there should be an emphasis on establishing an efficient research and development system, perfecting the system for spreading the use of farming technology, developing a market-orientated management system and improving investment in the field.

(Xinhua 01/16/2001)