In China, people engaged in work related to culture, education, science and technology, such as engineers and professors, often have professional titles. These titles are given by government departments as an indication of a person's skill level, and can be influential in deciding their income and social status. Although there is growing suspicion of the rationality behind the present assessment system of professional titles, which is criticized for its overemphasis on one's work longevity and educational background, and neglects performance and competence, reforms seem unforthcoming.

Now the professional title system has even reached the rural areas and is to be offered to farmers too.

Recently, Shanxi Province announced that it was going to divide the province's agricultural technicians into four grades, according to their farming knowledge and work experience. Those who are qualified for a professional title will receive financial support in terms of farming work and technical training.

Actually, several other provinces have already taken the lead in categorizing farmers before Shanxi Province plunged in.

Those who support this practice believe that at a time when China's social and economic development demands a large number of skilled farmers, professional titles are undoubtedly an important step. They insist that while recognizing the competence and agricultural skills of farmers, the relevant appraisal system will also help the country to discover talent, tap potential and encourage creativity. This, in turn, will promote the market-oriented development of China's agricultural sector.

However, many remain unconvinced, arguing that although it's an innovation, the awarding of professional titles will not bring tangible benefits to farmers. Unlike professors or engineers, farmers will not enjoy higher salaries even if they are granted titles. Some predict that professional titles will help farmers to find a job more easily, but in reality farmers who would be awarded titles are already skilled and would never be without a job. In this sense, a professional title is actually useless to them. Besides, it's hard to assess whether farmers are qualified for the title or not according to rigid standards like educational background, which is an important reference when the assessment is done on intellectuals.

Professional title shows respect

Wang Huachao (www.gmw.cn): Agricultural experts play a very important role in promoting the spread of farming science, technology and new crop varieties, especially those from the farming community. As grassroots sci-tech personnel, these farmers are as important as intellectual farming experts.

Farmers comprise a large proportion of China's population. While efforts are being made to rejuvenate the country through science and technology, the strategy of elevating the status of farmers is important for sustainable national development.

The importance of experts in the countryside is not limited only to the agricultural field and rural talents are not necessarily those who are involved in farming work. If those engaged in agricultural work can have professional titles, the honor should also go to farmers who deal with other businesses unrelated to agriculture. With our progress in social development, people's attitude toward farmers needs to change.

Huang Jian (Aba Daily): Agricultural experts from among the farming community can serve as good examples for fellow villagers-an effect that even agricultural professors cannot achieve. To grant farming experts professional titles and offer them advanced farming skills prove the government cares for and recognizes the importance of this vital section of the population. In this way, farmers are offered the hope of a bright future and will try to develop rural areas. Encouraged by their future prospects, they will work harder in the years ahead.

Meanwhile, professional titles for farmers are also an effective way to discover talent, tap their potential and encourage their creativity. Undoubtedly, this will greatly promote the rural economy and strengthen the competitiveness of China's agricultural sector in the international market.

Zhu Sibei (hlj.rednet.com): Every person is a kind of social resource. In a market economy, human resources are often distributed in accordance with market demand. Therefore, there must be a recognized standard to show the capabilities of a certain group of people, and this is one of the reasons for introducing professional titles for farmers. People's doubts focus on whether farmers themselves need the titles or not. In my opinion, as long as we do not observe the farmers through blinkers and support all the legitimate rights that they deserve, then there is no reason to reject the practice of giving farmers professional titles. No one can deny the inspiring and encouraging effect of these titles and that farmers need encouragement just like everyone else.

Lu Jun (China Youth Daily): To grant farmers professional titles is a milestone for the farming community, the country's agricultural sector and also for all the rural areas. In China, people tend to think that agriculture has nothing to do with science and technology. Some even go as far as believing farmers can only do simple manual work, with no relation to sci-tech. This misunderstanding is hampering the development of rural areas. Six years after China's WTO accession, science and technology are important for China's agricultural products to secure a foothold in the international market. The spread of farming science knowledge depends largely on expert farmers. Encouraging local farmers by granting them professional titles will greatly strengthen the competitiveness of China's agricultural sector.

All just window dressing

Ou Muhua (jcrb.com): Apart from being a respected indication of work competence, professional titles are also encouraging because they mean a higher income. However, generally speaking, to farmers, the title system is not appealing. The title of "Professor-level Agronomist" does not mean that the farmer's crops will grow better than those in another field. Neither will the title help him find a decent job in the employment market.

To farmers, a harvesting machine is more attractive than a title of "professor."

Rural talent deserves to be recognized, but not in the form of professional titles. Honor without tangible benefits will make farmers feel tricked and may even result in a distrust of government departments.

Gong Mingjun (Zhejiang Online): It's not easy to have a unified standard on how to assess professional titles for farmers, as there is a lack of such common assessment indexes as educational background, working history, etc. Indexes like technical level, daily performance and the capability to solve problems are not rigid standards, and are therefore not credible. While the assessment standard itself is questionable, the value of the titles is even more suspicious. As a result, perhaps titles given to farmers will not have universal recognition.

Owing to its own deficiencies, the professional title system is now the target of criticism and some even suggest its abolishment. Under these circumstances, the government must be cautious in granting farmers professional titles.

Wang Yan (Dazhong Daily): It seems that professional titles for farmers are a form of social progress, but what is the tangible significance of the titles to farmers?

Some government departments may argue that the system can offer opportunities to those who want to have professional titles, but in my opinion, few farmers would like to have a virtual title that will bring them no tangible benefits. Instead of the titles, farmers need preferential policies, technical training and equal opportunities to function in a competitive society.

Moreover, it is still unclear if farmers will be required to pay for their professional titles. To my knowledge, few would be willing to exchange hundreds of yuan, which could otherwise buy fertilizers and seeds, for a worthless certificate.

To promote rural development we need a large number of agricultural technicians who come from the farming ranks, but it's absolutely unnecessary to label them with titles such as agronomist. The government should offer more tangible help rather than offering examinations for professional titles.

Xu Xin (Liaoning Daily): In cities, professional titles are useful as they prove a person's competence and in some cases mean economic benefits. However, as far as farmers are concerned, professional titles may not be so attractive. This is because even if a farmer enjoys the title of senior agronomist, the title cannot ensure him an annual income higher than others'.

It's right to value human resources in the agricultural sector and the proposal of granting farmers professional titles is a good one. However, in the current situation, to give them certain titles alone does not suffice, as there must be more tangible awards. For example, those who have received the titles should be offered opportunities to have further agricultural training. Equipped with improved skills, they are able to make more money, which will mean better living conditions, and also serve as a good example for fellow villagers.