Chinese Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu on Sunday encouraged farmers to start their own businesses as a way out of poverty.

He said increasing farmer's income is a strategic and important task for governments.

"The construction of a new socialist countryside and the comprehensive and sustainable economic and social development require new types of farmers who have basic knowledge of both farming techniques and business," he said.

He said at a national meeting for awarding elite private businessmen on Sunday that governments at all levels should establish favorable policies and laws to encourage farmers to start their own businesses.

He said China has a huge rural market that offers big potential for rural labor employment and farmer-initiated businesses.

Governments should provide technical education to farmers who want to cultivate the land and to farmers who want to start their own business, Hui said.

He asked farmers to strictly abide by laws and regulations when operating their own business.

(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2006)