The per capita cash income of farmers and herdsmen in the Tibet Autonomous Region rose to 1,035 yuan (US$124.6) in the first three quarters of this year, up 22 percent from the same period last year.

The growth rate was four times more than the growth of income gained by urban residents in Tibet, a significant step to narrow the gap between urban and rural residents, said regional statistics bureau director Jinme Doje.

According to the regional statistics bureau's estimation, the net income of local farmers and herdsmen will reach 1,850 yuan (US$222) per person by the end of this year, 160 yuan more than last year's figure.

The major channels for the increased income of rural residents included household earning from business operation, higher income from selling grain and sideline products and the amount of money gained by working in cities, Jinme said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 26, 2004)