CHENGDU -- Rural tourism in China benefited 15 million farmers who earn at least 150 billion yuan ($23.81 billion) a year, the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) said Sunday.

By the end of 2011, China has at least 1.5 million farmhouses built for leisure tours, which receive more than 600 million tourists each year, according to data released by the MOA at a meeting in southwestern city of Chengdu, Sichuan province.

Rural tourism is becoming increasingly popular as urban dwellers would like to experience the country lifestyle while local farmers will provide them with affordable accommodation and catering.