The United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has approved five technical cooperation programs recently to help China promote its agricultural production, said an official from the FAO Chinese Office.

Totaling more than 1.8 million US dollars, these programs include a fodder production project in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, a water hyacinth control project, emergency assistance for the control of avian influenza in China, supply of basic agricultural material aid to farmers affected by floods in east China's Anhui Province, and promotion of advanced straw utilization technologies in east China's Jiangsu Province.

For the fodder production project, the FAO plans to provide 365,000 US dollars for one international consultant and two national experts in the country's Tibetan autonomous region to carry out field missions.

In addition, the project will also offer advisory technical services such as training programs on double cropping technology in the region. Usually, crops are harvested only once a year in the region.

The official said that the region's fodder production has been stunted by traditional farming methods. "The region needs new farming techniques to turn out more nutritious fodder to develop its animal husbandry."

Another project seeks to promote the integrated control of water hyacinths in the country. The floating aquatic plant consumes a large amount of oxygen and often clogs waterways, menacing the survival of other plants and animals, according to experts. The project is expected to contribute to the surging production of fishery in China.

Since 1978, FAO has carried out over 200 technical cooperation programs in China.

(Xinhua News Agency February 13, 2004)