Guangdong is drawing up policies and development plans for closer agricultural cooperation with Taiwan.

Cheng Ganrong, an official with Guangdong's agricultural department said the province will set up experimental zones for agricultural schemes in the cities of Foshan and Zhanjiang.

He said it was part of the 15 measures outlined by the Communist Party of China during the Cross-Straits Economic and Trade Forum held in Beijing last week.

The official said the province would announce favorable policies to attract more Taiwan businesspeople to invest in agriculture in Guangdong.

The province is considering setting up a zone for investment from Taiwan farmers in Jiangmen City, where many farmers have already set up projects.

Cheng said that an association would be launched this year to facilitate cross-Straits agricultural exchange and communications.

New technologies and facilities from Taiwan have invigorated and modernized the agricultural sector in Guangdong, he added.

Official statistics indicate that Taiwan businesspeople have set up more than 1,000 agricultural enterprises in the province and their investments have surpassed US$1 billion since the early 1990s.

Popular locations for their agricultural investments are the Pearl River Delta cities as well as Zhanjiang, Maoming and Zhaoqing in the west of the province.

Most are involved in the development of orchards, floral cultivation and poultry farms.

According to Zhuang Xiujuan, a professor with South China University of Agriculture, the Guangdong-Taiwan agricultural cooperation will be good for both sides.

Guangdong boasts a similar climate, an excellent investment environment and huge market, and adequate supplies of land and laborers, she said.

The expert suggested that the agricultural sector of the province could learn more about agricultural management and marketing from Taiwan businesspeople, in addition to their planting know-how.

Editor: Donald