China's agriculture ministry outlined measures on Thursday for provincial governments to boost farmers' income by developing the rural economy, including efforts to spur employment of migrant workers.

Continent facing record-level hunger
Eligibility thresholds for provincial operating grants lowered
Big firms also told to negotiate wholesale access rates
Authorities crack down on farm encroachment
Thoughtful municipal land use policy, producer involvement needed to save agricultural land from urban development
Subsidies to focus on sustainability, 'eco-schemes'
Enthusiasm for telecommuting could later benefit rural areas, if 'digital divide' can be bridged