The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is deepening its agricultural collaboration through a specialized demonstration base in Shaanxi Province, a move that underscores the bloc’s growing focus on food security and technological exchange. The initiative, highlighted during a press briefing in Tianjin ahead of the SCO Summit 2025, reflects how member states are leveraging shared expertise to address pressing agricultural challenges.
At the heart of this effort is the **SCO Agricultural Technology Exchange and Training Demonstration Base**, launched in 2019 within the Yangling Agricultural Hi-tech Industrial Demonstration Zone. Wu Wengang, vice governor of Shaanxi, outlined its progress, noting the establishment of **11 demonstration parks** across SCO countries where crop varieties and farming techniques are tested. These parks serve as hubs for adapting Chinese agricultural innovations—such as drought-resistant crops and precision irrigation—to diverse climates, from Central Asia’s arid landscapes to South Asia’s varied terrains.
The base has also fostered **four joint laboratories** with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, targeting critical areas like dryland farming, smart agriculture, and digital tools for crop monitoring. These collaborations aim to bridge gaps in agricultural productivity, particularly in water-scarce regions where traditional farming methods fall short. Wu emphasized that future efforts will prioritize **seed development for dryland conditions** and **water-saving irrigation systems**, aligning with the SCO’s broader goals of sustainable development and climate resilience.
The timing of this announcement is significant. As the SCO convenes its largest-ever summit in Tianjin, agriculture emerges as a cornerstone of regional economic cooperation. For countries like Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, where agriculture employs a substantial portion of the workforce, access to advanced techniques could boost yields and reduce reliance on food imports. Meanwhile, China’s role as a technological provider strengthens its diplomatic ties while addressing shared vulnerabilities—such as desertification and water stress—that transcend borders.
Yet challenges remain. The success of these initiatives hinges on **local adaptation**—whether new seeds or digital tools can integrate seamlessly into existing farming practices. There’s also the question of **scaling up**: while demonstration parks show promise, their impact depends on widespread adoption, which requires training, infrastructure, and policy support.
What’s clear is that the SCO’s agricultural push is more than symbolic. By pooling resources and expertise, member states are laying the groundwork for a more food-secure future—one where technology and collaboration help mitigate the risks of climate change and economic instability. As the summit unfolds, the focus on agriculture signals a pragmatic shift: in an era of geopolitical tensions, shared solutions to hunger and sustainability may prove just as vital as security pacts.