In the transformation from traditional to efficient, modern agriculture, Tibet is depending on new science and technology. This is increasing the unit production of grains and oil and the utilization rate of agricultural resources and leading the agricultural economy into a favorable situation. In 2007, the region continued implementing the plan on increasing the unit production of grains and tried to overcome the influence of drought. Farmland sown to cereals reached 171,770 hectares, some 110 hectares more than the previous year. Of this, farmland sown with Qingke barley reched 117,990 hectares, an increase of 1,710 hectares; that with wheat 40,290 hectares, a fall of 1,200 hectares; that with rape 23,050 hectares, a decrease of 1,000 hectares; that with vegetables 19,660 hectares, an increase of 670 hectares. Grain production in 2007 reached 938,600 tons, a fall of 1.6 percent; production of rapeseed was 52,300 tons, a fall of 4.0 percent; production of vegetables was 450,600 tons, an increase of 0.3 percent.

At the same time, Tibet is attaching great importance to developing the circulation of goods in rural areas. Agricultural products wholesale markets have been established in four places. The relevant propram and preliminary work on the construction of farmers' market and frontier trade market at the basic level were carried out in an all-round way.

In 2007, the government of Tibet, based on increasing the income of farmers and herders and improving their living conditions, constantly increased financial investment in rural areas. A total of 4.02 billion Yuan was invested in agriculture, an increase of 61.4 percent over the previous year. This included a special fund of 145 million Yuan to develop characteristic agricultural and animal husbandry projects; a fund of 48.5 million Yuan to conduct producting technology and quality training for farmers and herders; a fund of 170 million Yuan for comprehensive development in agriculture and animal husbandry; a sum of 62 million Yuan for basic farmland irrigation construction; a fund of 140 million Yuan for rural comprehensive reform; and a sum of 65.33 million Yuan for the prevention and cure of the animal epidemic diseases and plant diseases.

In 2006, Tibet allocated a special fund of 240 million Yuan to develop characteristic agricultural and animal husbandry projects. This benefited 364.000 farmers and herders, who enjoyed a per capita increase in income of 660 Yuan. Meanwhile, Tibet also underscored the training for new-type farmers and herders, allocating 40 million Yuan; 257,000 persons/times of instruction.

Most of the major grain production zones are distributed in arid and semi-arid zones, featuring typical irrigation-dependant agriculture. Hence, the key point of improving the production condition of agriculture and animal husbandry is to accelerate the construction of the irrigation area and improve the level. In 2007, Tibet carried out three projects covering the Manla, Moda and Yarlung irrigation sectors in the drainage areas of the Nam Qu River, Lhasa River and Yarlung River, adding and improving 5,543 hectares of irrigated farmland.

In 2007,44 characteristic industrial projects of agriculture and animal husbandry in the construction plan of Tibet were put into operation, covering seven prefectures (cities) and 50 counties (cities and regions), with a total investment of some 360 million Yuan. State investment covered 61.07 percent of the funding, and this was supplemented by the devoted labor of individuals and businesses. Through this, Tibet will create a number of major enterprises of agriculture and animal husbandry and famous brands of characteristic agricultural and livestock products, further improving the comprehensive productive capacity and market competitive power of agriculture and animal husbandry.

Animal Husbandry

Tibet abounds in animal husbandry resources, boasting not only a variety of grassland, but also the plains, farmland and suburbs. The industrial belt of breeding Cashmere goat, yak, Tibetan sheep, pig and chicken and milch cow will become a major part in the development of animal husbandry of Tibet, providing more green products and greatly benefiting farmers and herders. In 2007, Tibet set grat store by supporting the 71 characteristic agricultural and animal husbandry bases including the forage grass-bred milk cow base and effectively controlled the epidemic situation such as bird flu and rodent depredations. Animal husbandry maintained stable development, with the rate of domestic animals for sale being further increased. At the end of 2007, Tibet had 24.17 million head of domestic animals in stock, a fall of 210,000 head over the previous year. They included 6.61 million cows (an increase of 100,000), and 16.75 million sheep (a fall of 280,000). The output of pork, beef and mutton reached 228,800 tons, an increase of 0.8 percent and that of milk 289,400 tons, an increase of 4.8 percent.

Forestry

In 2007, the TAR planted 19,070 hectares of trees. This included 2,810 hectares of timber forest, 1,590 hectares of economic forest and 13,130 hectares of protection forest. The subsidization project for forest ecological benefit in Tibet proceeded smoothly. A total sum of 160 million Yuan was actually subsidized for protecting 2.17788 million hectares of forest.

In 2007, the project of forestation in key areas in Tibet made a good start. The project was planned to continue five years, with a total forested area of 48,000 hectares and total investment of 590 million Yuan. In 2007, the first year of the implementation of the project, Tibet planted 7333.33 hectares of trees. The people’s government and forestry bureau of the TAR signed the Target Responsibility Document on Forestation during the period of the 11th Five-Year Plan with various places in the region, clearly formulating the task and responsibility. According to checks, the average survival rate of forestation was above 80 percent

( Source: China's Tibet Facts & Figures 2008 )