China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Cooperation through South-South and Triangular Cooperation

12 June 2024 Sanya, China – A workshop on China-Africa Agricultural and Technology Cooperation through the South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) was held in Sanya, Hainan, China, from 12 to 14 June 2024. The workshop, organized by the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division (PST) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), convened the attendance of about 130 participants, including international organizations, government officials, representatives of research institutes from China and African countries.

During the workshop participants were able to identify the priorities to advance agricultural science and technology cooperation between China and Africa through South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC).

Mr Anping Ye, Director of the PST Division of FAO, reiterated that China and Africa are facing common challenges in sustainable agricultural development, therefore it is important to strengthen the exchanges and cooperation in agricultural science and technology, promoting rural revitalization and agricultural modernization in China and enhancing agricultural productivity and value chains in Africa. He also proposed ways to strengthen the cooperation between China and Africa through SSTC, such as: enhancing the role of scientific and technological innovation via the FAO-CAAS Innovation Platform, establishing an effective communication mechanism, supporting policy development to enhance sustainable agriculture for Africa, and promoting sustainable agrifood systems in alignment with FAO’s Four Betters Initiative.

Mr Chikelu Mba, Director a.i. of the Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) of FAO, stated that Sub-Saharan Africa is being hard-hit by food insecurity and malnutrition, while China was in a comparable situation of hunger and malnutrition four decades ago. He also highlighted how this workshop was a good learning opportunity to identify solutions to transform agrifood systems and how FAO stands ready to provide guidance in this endeavor.

Sun Tan, Vice-president of CAAS, highlighted that agriculture in both China and Africa is based on the small-farmer business model. The experience and technology accumulated by China in the process of transitioning from traditional to modern agriculture could also be applied in African countries and could contribute to solving the issues of food insecurity and poverty.

Mr Felix Dakora, former president of the African Academy of Sciences, stressed the importance of the establishment of the China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance in 2023, which opened the door to the free flow of biological materials between China and Africa.

The two-day workshop fostered a number of technical exchanges, involving all participants and recognized the importance of the fruitful sessions and technical discussions. The best practices and case studies shared by China, and the similarities highlighted by participants from the African continent, paved the way not only for a broader cooperation framework between China and Africa, but also reinforced the significant importance of SSTC programmes and their results-focused vision.

Participants from China and Africa also confirmed their willingness to further collaborate and set up the agenda and priorities to boost the agricultural science and technology exchanges, whilst FAO reiterated its commitment to provide guidance to this profitable and mutual sharing of knowledge.