The per capita income of herdsmen and farmers in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region surged by 14.6 percent year-on-year to reach 2,986 yuan (373 U.S. dollars) last year, according to a regional meeting on farming and animal husbandry.

Fast development of animal husbandry, increasing investment in agriculture and animal husbandry, farming tax exemptions and grain subsidies all contributed to the increase in herdsmen's and farmers' income, according to the meeting held last week.

Inner Mongolia boasts rich forage grass and fodder resources, providing favorable conditions for the development of animal husbandry. Last year, animal husbandry accounted for 47.6 percent of the total output value of the region's primary industry, which covers agriculture, fishery, animal husbandry and forestry, 3.6 percentage points higher than the previous year.

The region's grain output reached 16.62 billion kilograms of grain last year, with per hectare output reaching 3,800 kilograms.

Last year, the region invested more than 10 million yuan in 426 farming and animal husbandry development projects.

The region exempted local farmers of 580 million yuan of farming tax last year and also granted farmers 580 million yuan in subsidies. The region trained 100,000 herdsmen and farmers in practical skills last year, enabling them to live a comfortable life.

Source: Xinhua