Jinzhong in Shanxi province launched an association to coordinate its "eco-farms" on Sept 30, as the city looks to boost the rural economy by converting waste ground into a range of ecological projects.

The "eco-farms" project first emerged in Zaoqun county in 2005, and proved so successful that it has gradually been extended to the rest of Shanxi province. It involves putting unused greenfield and brownfield sites to profitable use by converting them into modern farmland, tourist projects or woodland.

Jinzhong already has more than 500 "eco-farms" funded by 500 different entrepreneurs, who have invested more than 4 billion yuan ($600 million) in the project. These projects have so far created more than 20,000 jobs for local farmers.

The new association is designed to support and coordinate this huge project by establishing a service platform for sharing economic resources and information, and deepening cooperation between the Shanxi government and local "eco-farms".

The association will also conduct market research to help "eco-farms" become more efficient, and advance the upgrading of local agriculture and environmental protection projects.

Ten "eco-farms" from across Shanxi took the initiative to launch the association, and more than 80 manors from 11 cities in the province have already become members.

Attendees wait for the launch ceremony of the newly-created Shanxi Association for Eco-farm Economy to begin in Jinzhong, Shanxi province on Sept 30. Around 110 experts and "eco-farm" entrepreneurs attended the ceremony. [Photo/people.com.cn]