Experts from China and Africa convened for a meeting in Nairobi on Tuesday for a high-level forum on agricultural science and technology in an effort to harness the potential of technology to revolutionize agriculture.
The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China jointly organized the pivotal forum, which brings together over 150 leaders, agricultural experts, and representatives from renowned companies across Africa.
The gathering aims to accelerate advancements in the agricultural sector, particularly in response to the pressing challenges of climate change and food security across the continent.
Countries represented include Kenya, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tanzania, and Senegal, with the event taking place at the World Agroforestry Centre over four days.
Director General of CIMMYT Bram Govaerts said the forum’s objective is to enhance research and innovation and ensure such advancements reach the farmers who need them most.
“Through this platform, we aim to improve the delivery of research and innovation to farmers. We will develop a strategic and tactical plan, seek resources for implementation, and ultimately benefit African farmers,” Govaerts said
Yujiang Ye, the Vice President of CAAS highlighted the academy’s ongoing commitment to supporting African nations and the broader Global South through training and technology transfer.
“CAAS has trained 276 students from 38 African countries, making it a leading institution in agricultural education for African students,” said Ye, underscoring the significance of the China-Africa modern agriculture technology exchange.
The forum also provided an occasion to clarify strategies for increasing crop yields in Africa, particularly for corn, wheat, and dryland crops. It also seeks to share China’s experience in agricultural modernization and identify areas for collaborative cooperation between China, Africa, and CIMMYT.
Felister Makini, Deputy Director General of Crops at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), noted the importance of these partnerships in extending CIMMYT’s research and development impact across diverse regions.
The forum is set against the backdrop of climate change, which has severely impacted the agricultural sector, particularly in developing countries with limited capacity to address these challenges.
Dr. Wenbin Zhou, Director at the Institute of Crop Sciences of CAAS, highlighted the global cooperation in crop genetic information sharing, involving at least 34 countries, including several in Africa.
On his part, Atugonza Luta Bilaro from Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) said this forum is an important platform to exchange on best agricultural practices and also draw from the Chinese experience of maintaining food security despite a large population.
Themed “Technological Innovation and Partnership to Promote the Transformation of African Agricultural Food Systems,” the forum will give additional focus to key topics such as resource utilization, crop improvement, conservation tillage systems, and international partnerships.
For over four decades, collaboration between CIMMYT and China has yielded significant results, including an additional 10.7 million tons of wheat, valued at $3.4 billion, added to China’s national wheat output based on 2011 prices.
