The skies of Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, are dotted with a new sight: lush greenhouses stretching across the landscape, captured in an aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 3, 2024. This scene is a testament to the growing agricultural cooperation between China and Africa, a partnership that is not only transforming landscapes but also bolstering food security and agricultural modernization across the continent.
In the heart of China, the city of Jinhua in Zhejiang Province, the “Zhejiang Agricultural Machinery Going to Africa” Virtual Expo kicked off on March 8, 2024. This event, which brought together over 100 government officials, industry representatives, and agricultural machinery dealers from more than 20 African countries, including Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria, is a significant step in promoting cooperation between Zhejiang and Africa in the agricultural machinery sector.
Zhejiang, a province known for its technological prowess and innovation, is home to over 4,200 agricultural machinery companies. The province has established itself as a leading force in China’s agriculture sector, generating over 11 billion U.S. dollars in output. The expo serves as a platform to showcase Zhejiang’s advanced agricultural machinery and technology, offering African countries a glimpse into the future of farming.
The impact of Chinese agricultural machinery in Africa is already evident. In Egypt, for instance, smart agricultural machinery has been a game-changer. Mostafa Gouda, a professor at the National Research Centre of Egypt and Zhejiang University, highlighted the transformative effect of Chinese equipment. “Smart agricultural machinery was a huge challenge for us in Egypt,” he said. “But now, with China’s equipment, we’ve found solutions. It’s a game-changer.”
Morocco, too, is facing similar challenges. Agriculture is crucial to Morocco’s economy, but it’s also a sector struggling with high costs, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. Many farmers contend with outdated equipment and limited access to modern technology. However, Meriem Homaid, CEO of the Morocco SIEMA Agricultural Exhibition, sees a promising opportunity in China’s agricultural machinery industry. “Chinese machinery offers high performance at competitive prices,” she said. “It presents a unique opportunity for Moroccan farmers to embrace modernization without breaking the bank.”
Homaid also highlighted the adaptability of Chinese machinery to Morocco’s diverse terrains and its eco-friendly features, such as solar power systems and water-saving solutions, which align with the country’s sustainability goals. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the key driver of agricultural modernization in Africa. Access to advanced machinery has long been a hurdle across Africa, which the BRI aims to address by fostering cooperation and investment.
Gouda emphasized that China’s agricultural cooperation with Africa is “unique,” pointing to China’s greenhouses and smart systems, which have gained widespread popularity in Africa for their effectiveness and affordability. This partnership with China isn’t just an opportunity for Egypt — it’s an opportunity for Africa. With the right machinery, the right technology and the right collaboration, we can reshape the future of farming. And that future is bright.
