The province of Sichuan is in the southwestern part of the People's Republic of China and has an area of 570,000 km² with a population of 87 million people. Sichuan is one of the most fertile areas in China.
The rural districts of Minxhu, Dujian and Xindu lie around 20 - 70 km north of the province capital Chengdu. Xindu and Dujiang are on a plain about 500 m above sea level whereas Minxhu is at the foot of the eastern Himalayas and comprises flat as well as mountainous country.
The climate here is continental; temperatures are between -10° and +40°C although mostly between 16° and 18°C. Rain falls evenly with slight fluctuations throughout the year. Two harvests per year are possible for which rice and wheat are often grown after each other. In addition to cereals, oilseed is also produced. The banks of irrigation channels are lined with mulberry bushes used for the culture of silkworms. Any other free spaces are used for growing vegetables; water cabbage grows in stagnant waters. The growth of trees is restricted to avenues and riverbanks; Bamboo bushes often surround the houses. There are scattered and linear villages as well as scattered settlements.
About 20% of farmers have other income from cottage industry, trades and crafts in addition to their earnings from agriculture. The women normally attend to the household and the farm whilst the men follow a non-agricultural profession. Every household has less than 1 hectare of land at its disposal. The annual per capita income of the rural population amounts to 600 - 650 yuan (110 - 120 US$). In comparison, a bricklayer earns relatively well with 150 yuan per month.
China is currently undergoing radical change from a collective economy with planned targets to a free market economy. Modernisation within industry is being given first priority in development planning. Rural communes have been abolished since the mid-eighties and the land has been given to the farmers for private utilisation. Despite this, the state still partly controls the sale of staple foods through purchasing cooperatives. Only products in excess of compulsory levies or which have been approved can be sold on the free market.
In contrast to wide areas of Northern China there have never been such huge sized fields of arable land in Sichuan. Agriculture is based on family farms supported by purchasing and selling cooperatives. The producers of and selling prices for staple foods are fixed by the state. High meat prices are to increase the production of pork. Organic fertilizers are promoted as important but parallel to this the state is pushing forward the production of chemical fertilizers.
The supply of coal, natural gas, electricity and even wood fuel continues to be subject to state control and planning. The main source of energy with a share of 73% is coal which is mostly used in the form of briquets. The use of renewable energy including biogas is subsidised indirectly in that the state provides the essential infrastructure and finances research.
The significance of environmental protection has been recognised on government and administration levels. Keeping water clean and careful use of pesticides etc. are matters which are being promoted or have already been formulated into laws. The observance of these, however, is not guaranteed everywhere, mostly for economical reasons.