Thriving crops in Jiaxing. [Photo/IC]

The Chinese farmers' harvest festival this year will hold major events along the Yangtze River Economic Belt on Sept 23 to celebrate the harvest, promote culture and vitalize rural areas amid the centenary of the Communist Party of China, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Wednesday.

Three major events of the festival will be held in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province; Changsha, capital of Hunan province; and Deyang, Sichuan province, with 11 cities and provinces in the region taking part, Vice-Minister Ma Youxiang said.

Farmers will celebrate and perform in 1,652 villages of ethnic groups, praising their agricultural achievements while enjoying the events held especially for them.

"Nearly a hundred activities, such as cultural research, product promotion, folk festivals and farmers' competitions will be organized," Ma said.

Focusing on farmers' happiness and needs, this year's festival will promote the launch of a series of policies and measures that benefit them, as well as the civil law and rural vitalization. It will also feature a free clinic week.

"The farmers' sense of achievement, happiness and security are the most important criteria for evaluating the success of the harvest festival," Ma said.

This year's festival is a celebration for farmers and also a grand event for urban residents. Modern agricultural exhibitions and rural food appreciation events are expected to draw many visitors.

"The lively and popular activities will stimulate the passions of the farmers and residents," he said.

The festival will continue to integrate farming culture and display cultural resources with local and ethnic characteristics. It will feature cultural activities such as farmers' concerts, rural photography, calligraphy and painting.

"It will have both rustic flavor and cultural charm," Ma said.

The festival aims to celebrate the bumper harvest while increasing farmers' incomes. The ministry will launch a "golden autumn consumption season" with other departments to promote urban and rural consumption.