The Central Rural Work Conference has opened in Beijing. It's expected to make detailed plans for raising agricultural output, supporting farmers as well as improving ecological production.

Analysts believe these issues will also be the priorities of the country's 2013 first policy document. The document has emphasised the development of the country's rural regions and its agricultural industry for nearly a decade.

At the beginning of this year, the government vowed to renew its efforts to improve agriculture through science and technology in the No. 1 document. It's also pledged to continue increasing investment and subsidies for agriculture in order to stabilize grain production.

In 2011, the government focused its attention on rural development issues, vowing to double the average yearly spending on water conservancy over the next 10 years. The No 1 document of 2010 pledged to invest more in farming and to promote farmers' well-being while stimulating rural consumption. Improving rural pension and healthcare systems to cover more farmers was also a priority in that year.

(CNTV.cn December 22, 2012)