Farmers in Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei province, gained an average income of 3,710 yuan ($547.28) in cash in the first six months of this year, according to a survey of 1,800 rural households in 18 villages.

The income average of 3,710 yuan constituted a 13.21 percent increase, namely 432.78 yuan, over the same time period of last year. The growth rate was 0.67 percentage points higher than that of the same time period of last year.

The survey shows that in the first six months of this year, farmers in this city gained an average of 1,780 yuan from salaries, 276.42 yuan more than the same time period of last year. The salary increase accounted for 63.87 percent of the total income gains.

Among the 1,780 yuan average income, farmers gained an average of 1,276.4 yuan by working in companies across Hebei province, up 22.25 percent from last year.

Gains in crop prices also contributed to farmers' income increases. Farmers sold their crops at an average price of 1.77 yuan per kilogram, up by 18.84 percent.

By Song Jingli