In an era where global challenges demand collective action, China is fostering international cooperation through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with a significant focus on agriculture—a sector crucial for eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.
Since the inception of the BRI in 2013, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, China has established agricultural partnerships with numerous countries and international organizations. To date, over 90 nations and organizations have signed agricultural cooperation agreements under the BRI framework. China has invested in more than 650 agricultural projects in partner countries, amounting to $14 billion.
Beyond financial investment, China’s commitment extends to knowledge sharing and capacity building. Over the past decade, more than 2,000 Chinese agricultural technicians have been dispatched to over 70 countries. They have imparted expertise in cultivating hybrid rice, fungi, and various other crops, directly training over 100,000 farmers and indirectly benefiting more than one million people. This extensive collaboration addresses challenges across the entire agri-food value chain—from inputs and production to processing and delivery.
The BRI’s agricultural cooperation aims to eliminate barriers hindering growth in the agriculture sector. This includes developing efficient transport networks to connect farm products to markets, enhancing research collaboration in agricultural sciences, upgrading storage and irrigation facilities, and introducing modern farming practices and technologies that support sustainable agriculture.
For participating countries, especially developing nations grappling with structural challenges, this cooperation offers a unique opportunity to drive economic transformation. By enhancing productive capacities and promoting trade in agriculture, countries can tackle pressing issues like poverty and hunger. Agricultural growth is notably effective in raising incomes among the poorest populations, being two to four times more impactful compared to other sectors.
Take Burundi, for example—a landlocked East African country that joined the BRI in 2018, focusing on agricultural cooperation. Despite favorable conditions for farming, Burundi had long struggled to unlock the full potential of its agriculture sector, contributing to widespread poverty and food insecurity. Since partnering with China, Burundi has witnessed significant developments in agriculture and livestock, particularly in rice cultivation, markedly improving food security.
China’s BRI agricultural cooperation exemplifies how global partnerships can address shared challenges. By investing in agriculture, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable practices, the initiative contributes to global efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger, ultimately supporting sustainable development worldwide.
Reference(s):
Tackling global challenges through BRI agricultural cooperation
cgtn.com
