A staff member works in a workshop processing white tea in Fuding city, East China's Fujian province on Feb 28. [Photo by Lin Shanchuan/Xinhua]

East China's Fujian province has introduced an array of supportive measures to help its agricultural sector resume production during the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic, local authorities said on March 2.

According to the announcement, cities, districts and counties in the province should coordinate to help agricultural enterprises resume operation and production.

Enterprises working to stabilize production during the epidemic will be given a one-time subsidy and reward. Local governments will provide them with medical supplies and personal protective equipment such as face masks, gloves and sterilization products.

The provincial government will give a reward of no less than 500,000 yuan ($72,142) to enterprises using third-party e-commerce platforms and whose online sales of agricultural products exceed 10 million yuan in the first quarter of this year.

Service teams consisting of 1,500 agricultural specialists will be organized by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Fujian to carry out technical consultation and training services in villages in the province.

Local forestry authorities at all levels must ensure the completion of the province's goal to afforest 60000 hectares of land this year. Those who complete the task by the end of this month will receive a special fund to be distributed to all operating personnel, the announcement said.

Authorities said that more financial support will be provided to leading agricultural enterprises, and those severely affected by the virus will be offered loans with discounted interest rates.

Officials have also offered subsidies and insurance to the province's planting, poultry and livestock breeding industries, aiming to limit the effects of the epidemic on characteristic agriculture.