BEIJING — Governments at all levels have been asked to give priority to impoverished counties while purchasing farm produce, to help the regions get rid of poverty, according to a statement by the Ministry of Finance.

“This move will help arouse poor people’s motivation to shake off poverty on their own,” the statement said.

All things being equal, local authorities should favor agricultural products from 832 poor counties in their procurement.

Governments should make sure that their canteens purchase a certain proportion of agricultural products from these poor counties.

China is aiming to eradicate poverty and build a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2020.

After lifting 13.86 million people out of poverty last year, China saw the number of impoverished rural residents decline to 16.6 million by the end of 2018.