Farming trademarks

Shandong province has been working to foster geographical indication trademarks to increase farmers' income. The output of geographical indication agricultural products reached nearly 12 billion yuan last year and the value of agricultural products increased 20 percent in 2008, according to Shandong Administration for Industry and Commerce.

Last year eight geographical indication applications were approved in the province, making the total number of registered geographical indications reach 20. Currently 12 cities in the province have geographical indications.

The local government plans to further enhance trademark awareness of farmers in 2009.

(China Daily 01/12/2009 page9)