China's Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and China Agricultural Scientech Press have published the first volume of books in a series to teach farmers practical agricultural technology.

The Building the New Countryside series consists of 120 installments with 40 included in the first volume. They offer expertise on breeding, planting, processing, the control of plant diseases and insect pests, as well as other practical agricultural technologies.

The publications are aimed at three different readerships: farmers, officials and scholars.

"I really need two of the books on greenhouses and pig-raising, and I must read them," said a farmer who attended the launch ceremony.

Zheng Guoan, MOST's vice secretary-general, said the series was part of the national science and technology promotion initiative to increase agricultural yield, enhance rural living standards and improve the rural environment.

"These books are just one way to promote the development of the rural areas," said Wu Yuanbin, a MOST official in charge of rural affairs. "We'll also build websites and make TV programs."

(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2006)