Farmers' Harvest Festival set for Sept 23

The second Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival will be celebrated nationwide on Sept 23, with a wide range of activities to be staged, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Wednesday.

Major activities will include farmers' concerts, an agricultural cultural fair and training to help farmers use smartphones. The "10 model farmers in China" winners will also be unveiled on the day, the ministry said at a news conference.

Local governments will organize activities to attract both rural and city dwellers, it said.

Hosting the events will help implement China's rural rejuvenation strategy through the creation of business platforms and the integration of resources for agricultural development, it said.

Local authorities are encouraged to celebrate the festival in ways that promote consumption of agricultural goods and services, develop rural industries and culture, and help farmers' incomes increase, the ministry said.