(Yicai Global) Sept. 29 -- Farmers information service stations will be introduced in 80 percent of villages in east-central China's Henan province by the end of the year, and the service will be made available in all villages throughout the province by next year, the Henan government said in a document about the implementation of the local rural internet popularization program.

Farmers information service stations shall have permanent offices, qualified staff, suitable equipment, broadband connection, webpages and continuous operation capacity, enabling villagers and innovative farming business operators to access convenient and efficient information services without leaving their villages or homes, per the document.

All stations must be equipped with free WiFi connection and the connection speed must be faster than 50 megabytes (inclusive). Locals will be able to access the internet and information about incentives for farmers free of charge at the stations, as well as receiving online instructions on agricultural production and sales of agricultural goods given by experts, according to the document. Users will also have access to utility bill payment, purchasing and outpatient registration services at the stations.

A total of 37,600 information service stations will open in the province by year's end, covering more than 80 percent of local villages. The service will be rolled out in all villages in the province by the end of next year. The total investment in the initiative is projected to be about USD58 million (CNY384 million). Station operators and the government will contribute 30 percent and 70 percent of the total amount, respectively.