Pastoralism and Rangeland Management on the Tibetan Plateau in ...

ase, <strong>and</strong> the niche agricultural <strong>and</strong> pastoral industries. Especially since the
beginning of the “Eleventh-Five-Year-plan” period, the relevant ministries of
the State Council has increased their support for infrastructure building in
agriculture <strong>and</strong> pastoralism, giving a strong impetus to the rapid development
of agricultural <strong>and</strong> pastoral economies. Infrastructure projects for agriculture
<strong>and</strong> pastoralism have attracted more investment, bringing effective improvement
of the production <strong>and</strong> living conditions of farmers <strong>and</strong> herdsmen. These
projects have played a major role in promoting the continued enhancement of
productivity <strong>and</strong> output in agriculture <strong>and</strong> pastoralism.
3. Focus on technological innovation <strong>and</strong> outreach provides an important
support for rapid development in agriculture <strong>and</strong> pastoralism.
In recent years, the TAR government has always adhered to the principles of
“combining technological import with indigenous innovation, prioritizing
development in key areas, reinforcing basic scientific research, <strong>and</strong> supporting
the development of value chain”. We have focused on practicality of agricultural
<strong>and</strong> pastoral technologies, strengthened the integrated applications of
scientific <strong>and</strong> technological achievements, <strong>and</strong> put a special emphasis on the
application <strong>and</strong> new outreach technologies, varieties <strong>and</strong> equipment, giving a
powerful boost to technological advancement in agriculture <strong>and</strong> pastoralism.
Contribution rate of science <strong>and</strong> technology to agricultural <strong>and</strong> pastoral output
grew from 25 % in 2000 to 36 % in 2009. Coverage of improved crops in the
region rose by more than 80 %. We have vigorously promoted agricultural
mechanization, with the combined engine power of agricultural machinery
reaching 3.5 million kilowatts. The area using mechanical ploughing, sowing
<strong>and</strong> harvesting amounted to two million mu, 1.97 million mu, <strong>and</strong> 1.68
million mu respectively, increasing 46 %, 20.8 % <strong>and</strong> 2.3 folds over 2000. We
have promoted technological innovation in livestock breeding, with the main
livestock productivity <strong>and</strong> quality growing steadily. We have made an effective
start in agricultural st<strong>and</strong>ardization. As of 2009, 23 local st<strong>and</strong>ards for crops
have been developed <strong>and</strong> 19 pollution-free agricultural production bases have
been certified. In total, 129 pollution-free, green or organic agricultural products
have been certified. Technological progress <strong>and</strong> innovation has stimulated
transformation of the agricultural growth pattern. More productive varieties
of barley <strong>and</strong> breeds of yak have been successfully developed, opening up a
broader market space for niche agricultural <strong>and</strong> pastoral industries <strong>and</strong> raised
added value in processing for agricultural <strong>and</strong> livestock products increased as
well their quality <strong>and</strong> safety st<strong>and</strong>ards.
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> > > 6. Achievements <strong>and</strong> Visions of Agricultural <strong>and</strong> Pastoral Development in the Tibet Autonomous Region