Rice is one of the most important food crops globally, and China's rice production ranks first in the world. Chinese people are no strangers to rice, but have you heard of "two NOs" rice? “Two NOs” refers to “no chemical fertilizers and no chemical pesticides” during the whole process of rice farming.

As part of the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) portfolio between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Chongming “Two NOs” Rice Technology Pilot Project was officially launched on 29^th of May. The “two NOs” rice farming area in Chongming District of Shanghai will only apply organic fertilizer, and strictly monitor the ecological environment indicators. At the same time, the area will eliminate the application of chemical pesticides and adopt ecological measures to avoid pests and diseases.

At the launching ceremony, Mr. Vincent Martin, the FAO China Representative in China, highlighted that FAO’s support to China, in the framework of our Country Programming Framework (2016-2020),  focuses mainly on introducing innovative sustainable and climate resilient practices and technologies in agriculture, using a food system approach.  He hopes that this project in Chongming could set up a model in this effort of transforming and greening the agriculture sector in China.

Mr. Wu Zhaozhong, Deputy Head of Chongming District, stressed that the technical cooperation between Chongming District and the FAO is the beginning of the international cooperation of “two NOs” rice technologies, and gives the project a global perspective.

This is one example of the TCP cooperation between FAO and China. TCP aims at providing technical assistance in a catalytic manner and support to the Member States of FAO. Focusing on the technical gaps in the fields of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, subsidiary agricultural products, fishery, natural resources management and rural livelihood, it proposes targeted solutions and pilot projects to promote sustainable agriculture and rural development.

In China, FAO works with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs to implement four TCP  projects every two years. Among them, a project in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region focuses on improving fertilizer utilization and agricultural ecological environment, another one in Shaanxi Province promotes climate-smart agriculture practices through the improvement of water resources’ utilisation in its arid areas.