Toilet revolution to improve farmers' lives

Editor's Note: The central government will spend 7 billion yuan ($1.01 billion) this year to promote the "rural toilet revolution", the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said, adding that 10 million rural toilets were renovated in 2018. Why is the toilet revolution in the countryside necessary? And what should China focus on to make the process a success? Two experts share their views on the issue with China Daily's Liu Jianna. Excerpts follow:

Aim should be to increase the well-being of farmers

As indispensable everyday facilities, clean and hygienic toilets are necessary not only for people to lead a healthy life, but also for China to build a comprehensively well-off society and revitalize the countryside. Since many toilets in rural areas are stinky and fly-infested dry squat facilities with tanks underneath which are a health hazard to villagers and pose a threat to the rural ecology and environment, intensive efforts and a huge amount of capital are needed to modernize them.