The first award ceremony of "Ten Best Farmers of the Year" was held in Beijing on Feb. 5, 2015. Ms. Zhang Xiuxia, Managing Director of Minsheng Specialized Farming and Breeding Cooperative from Tianjin received the honor, together with other 9 farmers .
Yu Xinrong, Vice Minister of Agriculture, addressed the award ceremony and pointed out that the ten best farmers represent a new type of farmers, who are the outstanding representatives in the fields of agricultural production, the excellent models in pushing forward the development of modern agriculture and the pioneers in agricultural modernization. They are professional farmers, who are committed to and taking pride in agriculture, making it a vigorous and promising trade. They share the spirits of patriotism, dedication, industriousness, honesty and integrity. Their practices have proved that much can be achieved in agriculture. Their spirits are the precious spiritual wealth for agricultural development and reflect our core social values. Vice Minster Yu hoped that the ten best farmers could continue being innovative and hardworking, so as to inject new vitality into our efforts for the vision of a strong agriculture, beautiful countryside and better-off farmers and the achievement of the Chinese Dream.
The "Ten Best Farmers of the Year" project is facilitated by related media and organizations in the field of agriculture. China Agricultural Science and Education Foundation awards each winner with 50,000 yuan, who are chosen from the new type of professional farmers engaged in farming for more than 5 years, applying advanced technologies, conducting scale operation, adopting environmentally sustainable practices and playing a demonstrative role. It is an annual event, aiming at promoting the awareness of agriculture and recognition of farmers, in a bid to create a favorable social environment for agricultural development, boost the enthusiasm of farmers in agricultural production and attract more capable people to start an enterprise in the agricultural sector and rural areas.