The sources, citing a memo on the plan, said the first batch - 10-year bonds worth 40 billion yuan - would be issued after the Lunar New Year holiday, which is next week.

The bonds would be offered at a premium of 60-100 basis points over China Development Bank bonds of the same tenor, the sources said.

AgBank did not immediately respond to a request for a comment.  ($1 = 6.7136 Chinese yuan renminbi)