The project, known as Tibetan Modern Agriculture Demonstration Zone, will be used to showcase and promote modern agricultural technology and train local farmers and herdsmen.

Local officials hope the zone will serve as an example on about 6,700 hectares and the technology will be used on about 67,700 hectares in Tibet.

With an area of 633 hectares, the zone will feature factory-type seedling breeding, improved species of domestic animals, aquatic products and crops, and demonstration processing of agricultural products.

The zone is about eight kilomters southwest of central Lhasa, capital of the region.

Yang Haibin, vice-chairman of the regional government of Tibet,said the state-funded project will facilitate the process of agricultural modernization in Tibet and significantly change agricultural production in the region.

(Xinhua News Agency October 21, 2002)