The “Zhejiang Agricultural Machinery Going to Africa” Virtual Expo, held in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China, marked a significant milestone in the agricultural cooperation between China and Africa. The event, which brought together over 100 government officials, industry representatives, and agricultural machinery dealers from more than 20 African countries, aimed to bolster food security and agricultural modernization across the continent.
Zhejiang, a powerhouse in China’s agriculture sector with over 4,200 agricultural machinery companies, has generated more than USD11 billion in output. The expo served as a platform to showcase the province’s technological advancements and foster partnerships with African nations. The introduction of Chinese agricultural machinery to Africa has brought great opportunities to the continent, as highlighted by Professor Mostafa Gouda at the National Research Centre of Egypt and Zhejiang University. Gouda noted that smart agricultural machinery, once a significant challenge for Egypt, has now found solutions through China’s equipment, describing it as a game-changer.
Morocco, facing similar challenges with high costs and outdated equipment, sees a promising opportunity in China’s agricultural machinery industry. Meriem Homaid, Chief Executive Officer of the Morocco SIEMA Agricultural Exhibition, praised the high performance and competitive pricing of Chinese machinery. She emphasized its adaptability to Morocco’s diverse terrains and 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 seen as a key driver of agricultural modernization in Africa. Gouda noted that access to advanced machinery has long been a hurdle across Africa, which the BRI aims to address by fostering cooperation and investment. He highlighted China’s greenhouses and smart systems, which have gained widespread popularity in Africa for their effectiveness and affordability. The China-Aid Agriculture Technology Demonstration Centre in Brazzaville, the Republic of the Congo, stands as a testament to this successful cooperation. The expo underscored the potential for enhanced collaboration between Zhejiang and Africa, paving the way for a more food-secure and technologically advanced agricultural sector on the continent.
