Theme “Agri-Food Systems in Rural Areas: Green Solutions and Business Opportunities”
The 11th Sino-German Agricultural Week unveiled in Chengdu, China’s Sichuan Province, in September first week. Co-hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) of China and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity of Germany.
The event focused on the theme “Agri-Food Systems in Rural Areas: Green Solutions and Business Opportunities.” Tao Huaiying, Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) of MARA, Markus Schick, State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity, and Hu Yun, Vice Governor of Sichuan Province, attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks.
Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) Tao noted that the Chinese government attaches great importance to national food security and rural revitalization, and is committed to continuing efforts to enhance the supply of grain and key agro-products, creating a new agricultural production model that aligns with the carrying capacity of resources and the environment, and promoting the construction of livable, business-friendly, and beautiful countryside. China is also working to build a greener, more resilient, and sustainable food system while enhancing the vitality of rural development.
To deepen agricultural cooperation between China and Germany, Tao put forward three proposals:
1) shoulder the responsibility as major nations to safeguard global food security and promote the transformation of global agri-food systems
2) cooperate in the development of rural areas and deepen mutual learning on constructing livable, business-friendly, and beautiful countryside
3) jointly establish platforms of excellence to achieve deeper and more concrete cooperation across all agricultural sectors.
State Secretary Schick highlighted the vast potential for Germany–China agricultural cooperation in high-quality agricultural production, sustainable agricultural and rural development, and ecological agriculture. Germany seeks to work with China to build more resilient agri-food systems and fully leverage the platform role of the Sino-German Agricultural Centre.
More than 200 representatives from government departments, research institutions, business associations, and companies from both countries attended the event.
