By SHARON NAKOLA in Nairobi, Kenya |
chinadaily.com.cn |
Updated: 2025-10-29 22:02
The African Union has reaffirmed the shared dedication of China and Africa to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, science, and know-how, with the purpose of accelerating progress and attaining food sovereignty throughout the continent.
Speaking on the 2025 General Assembly of the China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance, which opened in Addis Ababa on Monday, AU commissioner for training, science, know-how and innovation Gaspard Banyankimbona underscored the necessity for deeper collaboration to harness China’s expertise in trendy farming, digital applied sciences, and water administration.
He mentioned such cooperation aligns carefully with the AU’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa or STISA 2025–34 and the continental improvement blueprint, Agenda 2063.
“Africa stands at a crossroads with immense opportunities to apply innovation for sustainable progress,” Banyankimbona mentioned. “The China-Africa alliance provides the ideal platform to promote joint research in climate-smart agriculture, animal and plant health, agroecology, and food safety.”
Efa Muleta, state minister for Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture, famous Ethiopia’s sturdy progress in agricultural modernization, stating that the nation is targeted on boosting productiveness each in high quality and quantity by drawing from China’s intensive technological expertise. “We will merge their know-how with our local strengths to drive measurable results,” he mentioned.
According to the minister, the collaboration may even contain coaching and trade programmes within the livestock sector. “This agreement aligns with our agricultural policy and carries no fixed time limit. It is a partnership Ethiopia can continue to benefit from over the long term,” he mentioned.
“Capacity-building programmes will start instantly, with coaching classes and institutional exchanges already beneath design.
The three-day annual meeting opened on Monday beneath the theme “Cooperation for Africa’s Food Security and Agricultural Modernization” with greater than 200 scientists, policymakers, and representatives from agricultural establishments throughout China and Africa attending the convention.
It was co-organized by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the African Academy of Sciences or AAS, and the Mission of China to the African Union.
Lise Korsten, president of the African Academy of Sciences, mentioned China’s journey in agricultural modernization—characterised by intensive cultivation, superior worth chains, and digital innovation—provides precious classes for Africa.
“China feeds nearly 20 percent of the world’s population with less than 9 percent of the planet’s arable land,” she mentioned. “Meanwhile, Africa, which holds 60 percent of the world’s uncultivated arable land, continues to face food insecurity. This paradox highlights the need for balanced partnerships that pair Africa’s potential with China’s proven innovations.”
Korsten added that the alliance serves as a “key driver of food security for billions,” by selling joint analysis, innovation, and know-how switch between China and African nations.
Abebe Haile-Gabriel, assistant director-general and regional consultant for Africa on the Food and Agriculture Organization or FAO, described China-Africa South-South cooperation as a “strategic lever for transforming African agriculture.”
He mentioned the collaboration has already produced tangible outcomes, together with greater rice yields, improved pest administration, digital farming adoption, and higher livelihoods for smallholder farmers.
“Given Africa’s ongoing challenges—low productivity, fragmented value chains, and limited market access—renewed and results-oriented cooperation with China is vital to opening new horizons for food production and security,” Gabriel mentioned.