Country establishes national festival celebrating contributions of farmers

China will host more than 100 activities nationwide to celebrate the first Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Thursday.

The ministry has selected 100 villages, 100 rural cultural events, 100 types of food, 100 agricultural products and 100 rural travel routes that urban dwellers can follow to the countryside to celebrate with farmers, Qu Dongyu, vice-minister of agriculture and rural affairs, said at a news conference in Beijing.

The festival, the first created especially for farmers, reflects the high priority the central government places on rural areas and agriculture, as well as its determination to develop a thriving agricultural industry, beautiful countryside and well-off farmers, Qu said.