"Many authorities and farmers have seen the benefits of the project because they have not only witnessed an improved living environment, but also gained better livelihoods," he said, adding that the government provides subsidies to farmers for 16 years to help them to grow trees that have economic value.

For these reasons, nine provincial governments have urged the State Council to invest more to convert the non-arable lands to forests, he said.

There are about 4.3 million hectares of sloping land and some 4.7 million hectares desertified land nationwide, he said.

About the broadcaster:

Nelly Min is an editor at China Daily with more than 10 years of experience as a newspaper editor and photographer. She has worked at major newspapers in the U.S., including the Los Angeles Times and the Detroit Free Press. She is also fluent in Korean.

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