Jilin province says it will establish an evaluation system for farmers to professionalize and modernize its farming methods, Changchun Evening reported, quoting a conference that the provincial Talent Office, Rural Affairs Committee, and Science and Technology Association held in the city of Changchun recently.

The new system applies to farmers who are not connected with State enterprises or organizations and ranks them in three categories - primary, junior and senior - mainly by evaluating their ability in practical problem solving and in generating revenue, and places less importance on their background so that anyone can join the evaluation.

Those who are judged to be professional can qualify for favorable treatment in getting subsidies for agricultural development, joining government organizations, and getting easy access to training.