The in-depth research of rural workforce resources is of great importance to the orderly flow of rural workforce into cities and solution of the rural unemployment problem, said Premier Wen Jiabao in a written instruction to a meeting awarding farmers successfully starting their own businesses.

The government should pay much attention to various forms of training for farmers, so as to help them find jobs in cities, he said in the instruction.

In addressing the meeting held here Saturday, Vice Premier Hui Liangyu said grain production and farmers' income increase are two major tasks for current and future work in agriculture and rural areas.

The problem of farmers' unemployment is a main obstacle for increase of farmers' income, he said, noting the rise of salary income of migrant farmers has become an important part for the rise of total farmers' income.

Hui also underlined the respect fro and protection of migrant peasant workers' rights and interest, calling for canceling of urban discriminatory restrictions upon them. 

(Xinhua News Agency May 23, 2004)