Innovative Rural Technology Transfer; UNDP Supports Government Agencies in Developing New Mechanisms to Link Farmers to Innovative Technologies and Expertise to Reduce Rural Poverty

Innovative Rural Technology Transfer; UNDP Supports Government Agencies in Developing New Mechanisms to Link Farmers to Innovative Technologies and Expertise to Reduce Rural Poverty

April 20, 2006

    BEIJING, April 20 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- A joint
initiative to link farmers with innovative technologies was
launched today in Beijing between the United Nations
Development Programme in China, the Ministry of Science and
Technology (MOST), and the China International Center For
Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE) under the
Ministry of Commerce. 

    Entitled "Alleviating Rural Poverty through
Innovative Technologies Transfer," the four-year
project is designed to link farmers with innovative,
environmentally-friendly technologies in order to increase
their income and promote sustainable rural development. 

    "Integration, innovation and partnerships are the
three key words I would use to characterize this
project," said Khalid Malik, UN Resident Coordinator
and UNDP Resident Representative in China.  "The
project is also very timely as it is closely connected to
the Government's commitment to build the socialist new
countryside by applying scientific development
approaches." 

    With a total fund of US$ 8 million, the project will
set up Technical Task Forces (TTFs) that will not only
introduce better technologies to farmers but also
innovative organizational methods for farmers to receive
tailor-made technological services to increase their
income.

    "It is hoped that the project will help generate
new job opportunities in local communities and allow
agriculture technology experts from government agencies,
academies, research institutes, and other organizations to
participate more effectively in lifting farmers out of
poverty," said Malik. "We hope that these
technology personnel can really make a difference for the
rural poor and help them build better lives.  If we are to
reach the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 in China,
this is exactly the kind of progress we need to
make."

    Liu Yanhua, Vice Minister of the MOST, stressed that
UNDP was the first international development organization
that work with MOST to further develop and enhance TTFs. 
He added that since 2002, a total of 598 counties in 24
provinces currently pilot the new market-oriented mechanism
by providing farmers with new technologies and skills for
better livelihoods.  "Through this new initiative with
UNDP, we hope to bring TTFs to a higher level by emphasizing
balance between economic growth, social development and
environmental protection to promote sustainable development
in rural China," said Liu.

    UNDP is the UN's global development network, advocating
for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience
and resources to help people build a better life.  UNDP is
on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their
own solutions to global and national development
challenges.  As they develop local capacity, they draw on
the people of UNDP and its wide range of partners.

    For more information, please contact: 

     Ms. Zhang Wei, 
     Communications Officer, 
     UNDP China
     Tel:   [phone] x228
     Email: [e-mail]
     Web:   http://www.undp.org.cn

SOURCE  United Nations Development Programme