On 28th March, the opening ceremony was held for the International Training Programs on Agricultural Mechanization offered by Jiangsu University (JSU) comprising of CSC - "China-Africa Friendship" Innovation and Application Training on Agricultural Equipment Technology, Modern Agriculture Workshop of China-Pakistan Regional Innovation Institute for Modern Agriculture, and "Harvesting Africa" Agricultural Modernization Technical Training.
The attending dignitaries included Mr. Xu Guocheng, Chairman of China Association for the Promotion of International Agricultural Cooperation, Mr. Carlos Watson, Official Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in China, Mr. Riccardo Savigliano, Chief Executive of the Agro-Industries and Skills Development Division (AIS) (Representative of Mr. Dejene Tezera, Director of the Agriculture Department of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)), and Mr. Anshuman Varma, Deputy Head of the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
Representing JSU, CPC Party Secretary Prof. Yuan Shouqi, President Prof. Yan Xiaohong and Vice President Prof. Zhao Yutao attended the opening ceremony.
Prof. Yan Xiaohong pointed out in his speech that since undertaking the agricultural machinery training of UNIDO and ESCAP in the 1980s, the University has signed a memorandum of cooperation recently becoming the base and partner of the United Nations for the International transfer of Agricultural Machinery Technology, International Talent Training and International Discussion Groups. Since 2018, JSU has carried out 4 Zambian Agricultural Mechanization Training Online Programs based on the International Cooperation Alliances on Agricultural Equipment, “Belt and Road” University-Enterprise Alliance for Educating and Cultivating International Talents and International University Consortium for Agricultural Engineering. On the basis of the previous "Harvest Africa" agricultural machinery training, this year’s program also integrated the CSC - "China-Africa Friendship" Innovation and Application Training on Agricultural Equipment Technology, and Modern Agriculture Workshop of China-Pakistan Regional Innovation Institute for Modern Agriculture. JSU will provide an all-round guarantee for this international training in agricultural machinery, continuously promote the high-quality cooperation under "Belt and Road" Initiative, and support the cause of global poverty reduction.
Mr. Anshuman Varma said the novel Corona virus pneumonia has brought many challenges to agriculture and food systems. It is now, more than ever, a common understanding that we must develop food security capabilities. That sustainable agricultural mechanization development will become a key measure to better reduce poverty and establish an Eco-agricultural system to cope with global disasters. He said that the United Nations Center for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization will provide expert and student support in the Asia Pacific Region for training and he hopes that the training will contribute to a greener and more resilient Asia Pacific agricultural system.
Mr. Richard Savigliano pointed out that the Agriculture Department of UNIDO will take this series of international training projects on agricultural mechanization as the starting point and further integrate resources, to fully utilize the technical expertise of JSU in the field of agricultural equipment, carry out project cooperation with the University in the fields of high-quality development of modernized agriculture, promote agricultural product value chain understanding, jointly promote the upgrading of agricultural mechanization technology and promote the sustainable development of agricultural technology in developing countries including African countries and work together to achieve the overall inclusive and sustainable development goals of UNIDO.
Mr. Carlos Watson said that the Novel Corona Virus pneumonia has been very detrimental to the agricultural and food supply industry and was unexpected in the world. The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda requires the urgent transformation the current system of agricultural development. Agricultural mechanization will greatly increase productivity, hence FAO will continue to work with partners to provide an agricultural support system for improving agricultural productivity.
The Chinese “Belt and Road” Agricultural Development Center and JSU have made significant contributions to promoting agricultural modernization and helping rural revitalization”, Mr. Xu Guocheng said.
Prof. Yan Xiaohong and Prof. Zhao Yutao unveiled the China-Pakistan Regional Innovation Institute for Modern Agriculture. The China- Pakistan Regional Innovation Institute for modern agriculture will greatly benefit both China and Pakistan, establish the value chain of international technology transfer between China & Pakistan in the field of agricultural modernization, carry out agricultural technology training and international forum, build a platform for sharing, cooperation and mutual-prosperity for the sustainable development of China-Pakistan agricultural cooperation and the creation of agricultural equipment multinational enterprises.
Prof. Yuan Shouqi presented flags to the representatives of the trainees from Pakistan, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Zambia and other countries. He further interacted with the representatives of foreign students, warmly congratulated the trainees on their successful selection into the international training program on agricultural mechanization and encouraged them to continue to play the role of messengers of friendly exchanges between Chinese and foreign youth.
The series of international training on Agricultural Mechanization includes equipment and technology in the whole process of agricultural production such as agricultural farming, field management, water-saving irrigation, grain harvest, food processing and agricultural product quality inspection. The training lasted three to five months with more than 100 trainees from Pakistan, Zambia, Ethiopia, Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt and other African countries.
