A seminar themed "The Practice and Future of Promoting High-quality Development of China-Africa Agricultural Cooperation" was held in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, on the 21st. At the meeting, officials, industry experts and business representatives from China and African countries discussed strengthening the China-Africa agricultural modernization partnership to meet the challenges of food security on the African continent.
In his speech, Idfis Musafiri, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources of Rwanda, stressed that not only Rwanda needs more food, but the entire African continent faces the same demand. He pointed out that healthy diets and sustainable food production methods are crucial. He said that cooperation with China provides a valuable opportunity to solve the African food crisis, and he also looks forward to China further increasing its investment in Rwanda's agricultural sector. Ma Youxiang, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, said in a video speech that food security and agricultural development have always been one of the areas of greatest concern to China and Africa, and have always been a priority direction for China-Africa cooperation. He said that China-Africa economic and trade cooperation has developed rapidly, and China has continuously expanded its opening up to non-agricultural product markets.
"Rwanda's dried peppers and coffee, Kenya's avocados, Benin's pineapples, etc., have enriched the 'vegetable basket' and 'fruit plate' of Chinese consumers and enriched the 'purses' of African friends." Wang Xuekun, Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda, said that the development of agriculture is crucial to people's lives and national development. He pointed out that China is willing to share these valuable experiences with Africa and support Africa's agricultural modernization process. "Modernized agriculture requires the efforts of all sectors of society, as well as the integration of labor, capital, technology and industrial chains," he said, adding that achieving this goal requires coordinating national strategies and policies, adopting innovative technologies and scientific methods, extending the industrial chain, upgrading the value chain, increasing investment and unblocking trade channels. The one-day seminar set up three special seminars, focusing on China-Africa agricultural development strategy coordination and policy consultation, increasing the added value of agricultural products and comprehensive agricultural development, and promoting China-Africa agricultural trade. The experts at the meeting had in-depth exchanges, shared successful cases and best practices, and provided new ideas and driving force for China-Africa agricultural cooperation.
