Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua pressed the newly-established Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for an unremitting commitment to improvements in agriculture and rural areas, and for rural residents.

Hu attended the ministry’s inauguration ceremony and presided over a symposium there on April 3.

The vice-premier affirmed accomplishments in agriculture and rural areas since the 18th Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), with all departments concerned given credit and highlighting a steady increase in agricultural production and income of rural residents, continuing optimization of agricultural structure, and unswerving advancements in agricultural reform.

The setup of the ministry, Hu added, is aimed at stepping up the unified guidance of the CPC in undertakings in agriculture and rural areas, and on behalf of rural residents, persistently prioritizing development in this regard and implementing a strategy of rural revitalization.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs should effectively conduct research and implement related strategies, plans and polices, facilitate the enhancement of crop production and agricultural supply-side structural reform, and put the three-year action plan on improving rural living environments into place, Hu said.