Special report: 2008 Olympic Games

    ZHENGZHOU, July 24 (Xinhua) -- A total of 125 farmer torchbearers have been well prepared as the Beijing Olympic flame will start the relay in Henan, one of China's major agricultural provinces.

    "Since Henan is a major agricultural province in China, we have given great priorities to farmers in the previous selection of torchbearers," said Peng Desheng, a senior official with Henan Sports Bureau.

    The 125 farmer torchbearers account for 15 percent of the province's total 832 torchbearers.

    "I am really proud to be an Olympic torch bearer in my hometown," said torchbearer Li Yuxi, a local farmer who became in spotlight after making a considerable donation to the May 12 Sichuan earthquake victims.

    "I am ready for the sacred moment, " he added.

    The other farmer torchbearers include Li Guanqi, who made great contribution in the study of soybean protein fiber, and Zhang Jinbao, who was regarded as a local hero for leading his fellow countrymen to dig a water channel in Gongyi City.

    Henan, which yields one quarter of the country's wheat, has been ranked first in crop production for 11 straight years in China.