CIDCA, UNDP release report on China’s agricultural aid projects in Africa

The China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), the Permanent Mission of China to the UN and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) jointly released a case study report on China's agricultural development cooperation projects in Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique at the UN Headquarters in New York on Oct 29.

Cover of the report. [Photo/CIDCA]

The report shows that China's agricultural foreign aid projects are committed to meeting the actual needs of recipient countries, effectively boosting local grain production and increasing farmers' income.

The report is the first case study of China's development cooperation projects by the Chinese government and the UNDP.

The study illustrates the achievable goals of South-South cooperation through an assessment of China’s agricultural technology cooperation project in Guinea-Bissau and its involvement in the agricultural technology demonstration center in Mozambique.

According to the report, the Guinea-Bissau agricultural project has rice cultivation as its main target, and gradually improves the necessary technology and output through Chinese assistance in agricultural technology training, introduction and breeding of improved varieties, as well as guidance on production activities.

The agricultural technology demonstration center in Mozambique tested hybrid rice and dryland rice varieties imported from China and selected 10 high-yield and high-quality rice varieties suitable for local agriculture. The rice varieties examined in the trial yielded a maximum of 10.74 tons per hectare, and the average yield of dryland rice exceeded 6 tons per hectare, which is twice the average yield of local rice varieties. As the output increased significantly, the income of local farmers did as well. The project is playing an important role in reducing poverty and improving people's livelihoods in the country.

Cover of the report. [Photo/CIDCA]

Ma Zhaoxu, the Permanent Representative of China to the UN, said in his speech that the research report on agricultural development aid projects in African countries issued by China is a concrete measure to implement the results of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. China's agricultural technology cooperation projects in Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique, based on local conditions, provided local farmers with appropriate agricultural technology training to help them establish sales channels, achieve commercial self-development, and continuously improve income and living standards. China looks forward to more attention from the international community to better help African countries implement the 2063 Agenda and the 2030 Agenda.

Ahunna Eziakonwa, the UNDP’s Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, said that the UNDP welcomes these joint assessments. They show that China is committed to building partnerships to support its national development goals as well as the 2063 Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Africa.

Antonio Gumende, Permanent Representative of Mozambique to the UN, said that expanding food production and creating new markets for agricultural entrepreneurs helps address poverty and food insecurity. He added that Mozambique welcomes China’s technology, expertise and financial investment to support its national development plan.

Deng Boqing, vice chairman of the CIDCA, said that agricultural aid has always been the cornerstone of China's foreign aid. Providing agricultural aid to Africa is both an example of China's participation in international development cooperation and a key area for comprehensive cooperation between China and Africa. The CIDCA looks forward to expanding South-South cooperation to help countries accelerate sustainable development goals.

The CIDCA was established in April 2018 to strengthen China's strategic planning, policy guidance and overall coordination in international development cooperation. Together with the UNDP it is expanding the scope of cooperation through South-South cooperation projects. These projects bring China's expertise, technology and resources to developing countries, and tailor specific solutions to advance the achievement of sustainable development goals.