Joel Bisoma checks the growth of Lingzhi, or Ganoderma lucidum, cultivated with Juncao technology at his farm in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, June 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman)

NAIROBI, June 26 — Agriculture experts and policymakers gathered in Nairobi this week to spotlight the transformative role of China-Africa cooperation in driving agricultural innovation and rural development across the continent.

Held on Tuesday, the inaugural Africa-China Forum on Agri-Tech and Industrial Cooperation brought together senior officials, researchers, and entrepreneurs to explore how technology transfer, joint research, and policy exchange are fueling a new era of agricultural progress.

According to Hamadi Boga, Vice President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), China’s investment in African agriculture is reshaping farming systems through demonstration zones, training programs, and the introduction of cutting-edge innovations such as smart irrigation and advanced crop breeding.

“China’s model—rooted in policy reform, digital extension services, and value addition—offers a roadmap for African countries striving to uplift smallholder farmers,” said Boga.

Cheng Enjiang, deputy director-general of the Finance Center for South-South Cooperation, emphasized that China’s experience with transitioning from subsistence farming to high-tech agribusiness could help Africa fast-track its agricultural transformation. He called for enabling policies that support technology transfers suited to local contexts.

Meanwhile, Steven Were Omamo of the International Food Policy Research Institute stressed the importance of adopting Chinese expertise in areas like climate forecasting, pest management, and storage systems. He advocated for collaborative efforts in artificial intelligence, farmer training, and innovations in public procurement and subsidy distribution.

The one-day forum was jointly convened by AGRA, the Beijing Jingwa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Center, and the Finance Center for South-South Cooperation.
Together, these stakeholders are cultivating a shared vision: leveraging Sino-African collaboration to build resilient food systems and drive rural prosperity.