2nd China-Africa agri forum discusses cooperation in Sanya

The Agricultural Science and Technology Cooperation sub-forum – a key part of the Second Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Agriculture – was held in Sanya in South China's Hainan province on Nov 15.

Nearly 200 representatives from China, 18 African countries and three international organizations participated in the event.

Attendees reviewed the achievements of China-Africa agricultural cooperation, analyzed the opportunities and challenges in the new era and put forward key areas and directions for future cooperation.

They agreed that China-Africa agricultural cooperation would achieve new developments in the fields of the digital economy and smart agriculture.

Since the first Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Agriculture was held, China and Africa have made fruitful achievements in promoting agricultural trade and cooperation.

Cumulative agricultural investments conducted by Chinese companies in Africa were estimated to have exceeded $1.7 billion by the end of 2022. What’s more, nearly 200 agricultural enterprises have been established in two-thirds of Africa's countries.

From 2020 to 2022, the trade volume of agricultural products between China and Africa increased from $7.67 billion to $8.92 billion, with an average annual growth rate of 7.8 percent.

China has built 24 agricultural technology demonstration centers in Africa, improving local agricultural technology development and crop yields, such as rice.

According to the forum, China is willing to work together with African countries to promote China-Africa agricultural trade and cooperation, support African food security, prioritize green development and promote technology-led approaches.

Moreover, it's expected that normalized exchanges in China-Africa agricultural cooperation will be achieved.

Attendees visit an exhibition displaying agricultural research achievements. [Photo/Hainan Daily]