Recently, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) hosted a high-level meeting as part of the "Ministerial Workshop on Digital Agriculture and Rural Revitalization for BRI Partner Countries." Seven provincial and ministerial-level officials from Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and South Africa joined the workshop, which highlighted the growing partnership between CAAS and BRI countries.

Prof. Wu Kongming, President of CAAS, introduced the CAAS’s achievements in China-Africa agricultural science and technology cooperation under the South-South Cooperation framework. He proposed enhancing institutionalized cooperation platforms, advancing joint talent development, and inviting African countries to participate in the CAAS-led China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance (CAASTIA). The African officials welcomed these proposals, expressing strong interest in strengthening technical exchanges, promoting personnel visits, and expanding training programs to enhance agricultural productivity and modernization in their countries.

The opening ceremony featured remarks by Prof. Sun Tan, Vice President of CAAS, and Prof. Zou Chuanming, Vice President of the Academy for International Business Officials, Ministry of Commerce, People's Republic of China. Both highlighted the workshop’s role in promoting international collaboration and technological innovation in agriculture, marking CAAS’s first ministerial-level foreign aid training focused on facility and digital agriculture. The event brought together 31 officials, researchers, and enterprise representatives from Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Laos, and Nepal. Participants engaged in policy dialogues, shared technological advancements, and explored strategies for accelerating agricultural digitalization in Belt and Road Initiative countries. These discussions aim to contribute to global development goals, focusing on poverty reduction and sustainable development through agricultural innovation, underscoring CAAS’s commitment to advancing agricultural technology and fostering international collaboration across BRI countries.