Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu has urged agriculture officials to begin preparations for the country's second agriculture survey.

"The agriculture survey is a complicated and challenging task. It is not only a fundamental work to push forward the building of a new countryside, but also an effective way of giving an account of national potential and general situation," Hui said at the second national agriculture survey meeting in Beijing.

The survey, to start on December 31, will focus on employment in primary industry, the number of migrant workers, land use, the rural environment, village committee officials, fixed asset investment in rural areas and rural living standards.

Hui said it would help the central and local governments understand more comprehensively problems and contradictions in rural areas and identify scientific and effective solutions for building the new socialist countryside.

The first survey was conducted in 1997 and surveys are scheduled every 10 years.

Hui said the organization, funding, training, and promotion should be in place as soon as possible and all departments should ensure effective coordination and communication.

(Xinhua News Agency September 1, 2006)