Chapter 8 (Agriculture)

In Chapter 8 we learned about China's agriculture, so I subsequently researched information regarding Xian's agricultural system, and I came across an interesting article by China Daily, titled "Agritainment boosts Xi'an's farmers' income" by Xu Xiao. This article published in 2012 discusses the recent trend of "agritainment", or agricultural tourism, that has become popular in Xian. According to the article, "Agritainment refers to any farm-based tourism operation that provides agriculture-themed entertainment, such as real farming experiences and homemade meals made from food grown on the farm." The article states that more than 5,000 agritainment "restaurants" currently exist in Xian. These agritainment businesses attract tourism from foreigners as well, such as from the United States. Below is a picture of foreign tourists visiting an agritainment farm in Xian:

This trend has contributed to rising incomes for Xian's farmers. The article states, "In 2011, urban residents' income per capita was 25,981 yuan and farmers' income per capita was 9,788 yuan, both of which were more than double 2006 levels. Growth rates were the biggest among 15 sub-provincial capital cities." Also, according to Kang Lifend, deputy direction of the Xian tourism administration, "A farmer who runs so-called 'agritainment' restaurants in the mountainous area of Xi'an can earn 200,000 yuan ($31,408) a year, more than the average annual income of urban residents." This is remarkable! It seems amazing to think that a farmer can earn more than an urban resident, since agricultural work has historically been subject to low incomes in China.

The article also notes that Xian was selected as one of the happiest cities in China in 2009. According to Xian's mayor, Dong Jun (pictured below), this is due to the municipal government's high investments toward increasing the city's living standards. Dong promised, "We will do more practical things for people to make their lives better. We will help each citizen lead a more dignified and happier life."

It seems that Xian is on the way toward becoming one of the top cities in China, and it is likely that its growing agritainment business will help promote the city's living standards as well as its popularity and prestige.

(Source: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2012-09/10/content_15746065.htm).