The policy of returning farmland to forest and grassland will in fact protect farmers' interests, the State Forestry Administration (SFA) said yesterday in Beijing.

Li Yucai, deputy director of the SFA, told a news briefing that the adjustment was in line with the twin goals of strengthening local ecosystems and helping farmers make sustainable livings.

Li said the government would continue to provide subsidies in grain as well as cash for farmers who have converted their land into forest, to compensate their loss of income.