Sanya, 15 November 2023(TDI): The second Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Agriculture kicked off in Sanya, Hainan Province, on 13 November, setting the stage for robust discussions on fostering agricultural modernization in African countries.
The summit, scheduled from 13 to 15 November, aims to explore avenues for sustainable development and independence in the agricultural sector across the African continent.
The Chinese Agriculture Minister, Tang Renjian, addressed the gathering and highlighted the significant progress made since the inception of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) ten years ago.
Moreover, Minister Tang revealed that China has signed 34 agricultural cooperation agreements with 19 African countries and organizations, fostering collaboration in various aspects of agriculture.
China has established 24 agricultural technology demonstration centers, which have benefited over a million small-scale farmers. This underscores China’s commitment to agricultural development in Africa.
This year, China-Africa agricultural trade is expected to exceed $10 billion, reflecting the growing economic ties between the two regions.
Similarly, the Governor of Hainan Province, Liu Xiaoming, emphasized the potential of the Hainan Free Trade Port to enhance preferential tariff benefits.
He proposed the cultivation of complete industrial chains for key agricultural products and the expansion of trading partnerships for tropical agricultural goods within the Belt and Road Initiative and FOCAC framework.
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Furthermore, the forum outlined a comprehensive plan for the coming years, focusing on agricultural modernization in African nations.
China pledged to deepen the alignment of agricultural development strategies, intensify policy consultations, and ensure full coverage of bilateral agricultural cooperation mechanisms.
Plans include bolstering agricultural technology cooperation, enhancing grain production, establishing joint laboratories and research centers, and training an additional 1,000 agricultural science and technology personnel for Africa over the next three years.
In addition, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Equipment of Senegal and the African co-chair of FOCAC, Samba Ndiobena Ka, urged increased Chinese investment in agricultural machinery and infrastructure across Africa.
China remains committed to dispatching agricultural technical experts to African nations to share its successful experience in poverty reduction.
The Sanya summit signifies a continued commitment to fruitful collaboration between China and Africa, driving agricultural innovation and sustainable development.
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