China concluded its annual two-day central rural work conference Sunday. The conference pledged to prioritize steady and relatively fast rural and agricultural development, ensure supplies of farm produce, and help to increase farmers' incomes in 2009.

The conference stressed that rural areas have the biggest potential for China to boost domestic demand. To maintain steady and relatively fast economic growth, the conference heard that the foundation lies with agriculture. Farmers are to be the focus of efforts to safeguard and improve social welfare.

Attendees agreed the government would increase subsidies for agricultural production next year.

Sun Zhengcai, Agricultural Minister said "According to our principle, next year the central government will increase subsidies to agricultural products of rice, corn, wheat, cotton, soybean, and rape."

It is estimated that China yielded a record 528 billion kilograms of grain this year, up by 5.4 percent compared with last year. Farmers' annual per-capita net income was estimated at 4,700 yuan this year, up 8 percent from the previous year.

Policy makers also said that infrastructure construction projects in both urban and rural areas should employ as many migrant rural workers as possible in 2009.

In terms of rural infrastructure construction, priority should be given to projects that improve water, power and gas supplies, as well as roads and housing.