BEIJING — Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua has called for efforts to increase farmers' passion for agriculture.

Hu made the remarks on Sept 23 when participating in a series of activities celebrating China's harvest festival for farmers in Beijing, which falls on the Autumnal Equinox each year.

More efforts should be made to increase farmers' enthusiasm for agriculture and motivate them to participate in agricultural work more actively and creatively, Hu said.

He visited exhibitions on harvest and agricultural machinery in Zhaoquanying township, Shunyi district of Beijing, and watched performance celebrating the harvest with local farmers.

Hu also stressed the significance of promoting Chinese agricultural civilization, highlighting the value of rural areas and enhancing farmers' sense of honor and pride in a bid to facilitate rural vitalization and win the battle against poverty.