BEIJING - China plans to earmark 152.1 billion yuan (about US$21 billion) in agriculture-related fixed assets investment from its central budget this year as part of its bid to promote food security and raise farmers' income, a senior official said here Wednesday.

Du Ying, deputy minister of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC),which is in charge of planning or approval of major investment projects, said the figure represents an increase of 21.7 billion yuan over 2007, or up 16.6 percent.

The final central budgetary arrangement has yet to be approved by the country's top legislative body next month.