World Agriculture
Developments, trade, data, and topics in world agriculture
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EU to provide € 10 million million for land reform as part of grant support for agricultural development in UkraineEU to provide € 10 million million for land reform as part of grant support for agricultural development in Ukraine EU to send EUR 10 mln for land reform as part of grant support of agriculture development in Ukraine The grant support of the European Union (EU) for the development of agriculture and small-sized farms in Ukraine envisages EUR 26 million, including EUR 10 million will be sent to implement the land reform. According to the documents to the agreement, which are available at Interfax-Ukraine, it is planned to allocate EUR 8 million for reform in the field of rural development, and EUR 7.5 million for support of small farms. The remaining EUR 0.5 million is planned to be spent on audit, inspection expenses and information interaction, as well as ensuring publicity. Support for land reform under the agreement will be carried out under the indirect management of the World Bank. The implementation period of the agreement is 108 months from the date of its entry into force. As reported, the government of Ukraine and the European Commission signed an agreement on support for the development of agriculture and small farming in Ukraine in the amount of EUR 26 million in Brussels on January 28. Original source: InterFax published: 2020-2-8 | Editor: Xie Jinli
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China-Africa: 'Huge Potential' for Agricultural CooperationChina-Africa: 'Huge Potential' for Agricultural Cooperation China-Africa: "Huge" ag cooperation potential Photo from China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. China hosted African agricultural leaders for a forum this week where Chinese officials pledged to expand and deepen cooperation, investment, and trade with African agriculture over the next 3 years. According to China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, 500 representatives from African countries and international organizations attended the meeting hosted by the Ministry and the Hainan Provincial Government in the provincial capital of Sanya, December 9. Attendees heard speeches from China's Minister and Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Hainan governor, and African leaders. China's ag minister emphasized the "huge potential" for China-Africa cooperation in agriculture in the "new era" proclaimed by Xi Jinping. The focus of cooperation will be on food security, poverty alleviation, agricultural science and technology, agricultural modernization, and giving developing countries a stronger "voice" in global food and agricultural governance. China's ag minister pledged: expand investment in Africa by Chinese companies build demonstration farms expand cooperation with African research centers host African technicians for 10,000 trainings in the next 3 years boost annual China-Africa agricultural trade to $10 billion within a decade from its current level of $6.9 billion achieve basic food security for Africa by 2030 China's ag ministry signed a memorandum of understanding with the African Union Commission and the African Green Revolution Alliance. A "Sanya Declaration" calling for greater China-Africa agricultural cooperation was issued, and 11 project agreements were signed by government departments, international organizations, research units, and companies. According to China's ag minister China's agricultural trade with Africa expanded more than 10-fold from 2000 to 2018 Chinese enterprises have invested 15 billion yuan in Africa China has 115 agricultural projects valued at $5 million or more in two-thirds of African countries Chinese agricultural research institutes have agreements with African counterparts in 12 countries, and they send experts to Africa for 10,000 person-visits each year China has agricultural demonstration centers in 19 African countries There are 10 South-South research projects in African countries and over 300 agricultural experimental trial The Chinese ag minister also met with delegations from African countries individually before the meeting. In his meeting with the South African delegation, he remarked that China's cooperation with South Africa is a model for further deepening. The Chinese minister remarked that he had recently attended the 10th anniversary of China-Africa FAO South-South Cooperation held in Uganda. The South African Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development expressed interest in collaboration on plant diseases. Original source: Dimsums Blogspot published: 2020-1-9 | Editor: Xie Jinli
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50000 hectares of palm oil plantations to be developed in the Karaga region50000 hectares of palm oil plantations to be developed in the Karaga region 50,000-hectare palm oil plantation to be developed in Caraga region BUTUAN CITY - An oil firm is planning to develop an initial 50,000-hectare palm oil plantation in Northeastern Mindanao or the Caraga region this year. According to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Director Brielgo O. Pagaran, the Eastern Petroleum Group of Companies (EPGC) is targeting areas in the region, particularly in the Agusan provinces, where good and suitable terrain would be good for planting palm trees. Pagaran added EPGC was looking for available lands which could be leased for 25 years with automatic renewal of another 25 years. “With the targeted initial 50,000 hectares palm oil plantation development, more than 5,000 families will benefit of the program and will generate employment in the region," he said. The company is eyeing to develop at least 200,000 hectares palm oil plantation in Caraga region in the coming years. “Everything is now in the process for this multi-million palm oil development investments by this independent oil company," said the region's top DTI 13 official without elaborating any further of the technical aspect of the company's plans and programs. Through the Palmoil and Agricultural Land Management for Economic Re-integration and Sustainability or PALMERS, the DTI as project initiator, EPGC had filed its letter of intent last year to develope wide palm oil plantation in the region, according to Jernalita“Jorge” P.Silaga, chief of staff and Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist of DTI 13. The independent oil company already broke ground at its “Cabisa De Buenavista” Industrial Estate in Barangay Alubijid, Buenavista town, Agusan del Norte in October last year. Silaga, who is also PALMERS project anchor, said EPGC was another big contributor of palm oil production in Caraga. To date, about 25,827.93 hectares are planted to palm oil trees, all over the region, with the bulk of located mostly in Agusan del Sur, Silaga said. Some of these palm oil plantations are also located in Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Norte. Currently, more than 150,000 metric tons of palm oil are being produced every year by these plantation areas, Silaga said. Oil mills in the towns of Trento and Rosario in Agusan del Sur province and another in the town of Barobo, in Surigao del Sur are currently producing crude palm oil. Original source: Manila Bulletin published: 2020-1-9 | Editor: Xie Jinli
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Chinese company to build fish farming center worth 1.6 trillion Ugandan shillings in UgandaChinese company to build fish farming center worth 1.6 trillion Ugandan shillings in Uganda Chinese company to build UGX. 1.6 trillion fish breeding centre in Uganda KAMPALA - Hainan Qinfu Foods Company Limited from China is looking for 5,000 acres of land to invest a total of $450m (about UGX1.6 trillion) is a specialized aquaculture industrial park. The company is the leading fishing enterprise that specializes in tilapia aquaculture in China. In China, the company encompasses commercial fish fry production, production of fish feed, fish processing and marketing among others. The company's Chairman Qinfu Zhou told officials of the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) last week that with support from the Uganda Embassy in China and Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the company is investing $450m in establishing the park in Uganda. The project aims to introduce Chinese management experience by establishing a high tech-industrial park through the development of production and providing broodstock. It will also avail production technology including creating jobs for Ugandans especially through establishing an out-grower network. The project will include fish ponds for tilapia farming, hatchery for breeding stock, tilapia processing plant and fish feed processing plant. Others are collagen processing plants, fish feed processing plants, packaging material factory, and a fish farming out-grower scheme. “Our aquaculture industrial park we intend to establish requires 2000ha (5000 acres) of land," he pointed out. Original source: PML Daily published: 2019-12-12 | Editor: Xie Jinli
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Cameroon: Safacam plans to invest 3.5 billion CFA to expand its palm and rubber tree plantations in DizanguCameroon: Safacam plans to invest 3.5 billion CFA to expand its palm and rubber tree plantations in Dizangu Cameroon: Safacam plans to invest XAF3.5 bln to extend its oil palm and hevea plantations in Dizangué (Business in Cameroon) - In Cameroon, the Ministry of State's Property and Land Tenure recently granted an additional 2,000 hectares of land to Société Africaine forestière et Agricole du Cameroun (Safacam), subsidiary of Luxembourg-based Société financière des caoutchoucs (Socfin) that was formerly listed on Douala stock exchange. According to Safacam's managers, these additional lands will be used to expand oil palm and rubber plantations in Dizangué district, in the Littoral region. According to the same sources, about XAF3.5 billion will be invested in these plantation extension projects, including nearly XAF2 billion in the rubber branch. In concrete terms, the 400 hectares will be used to extend oil palm plantations and significantly boost the production of nuts, palm kernel, and palm oil. Safacam's managers indicate that these expansion projects will generate around 300 additional jobs in this agro-industrial unit, which ended 2018 with a net result of XAF571 million, down nearly 50% from the XAF1.8 billion it earned in 2017. However, this performance picked up again in Q1 2019 since the company ended the first three months of 2019 with a net result of XAF1.36 billion, which is 27% increase compared with the XAF1.07 billion achieved during the same period in 2018. Brice R. Mbodiam Original source: Business in Cameroon published: 2019-12-12 | Editor: Xie Jinli
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Why Chinese farmers crossed the border into Russia's Far EastWhy Chinese farmers crossed the border into Russia's Far East Why Chinese farmers have crossed border into Russia's Far East By Andrei Zakharov & Anastasia Napalkova Chinese workers here are main seasonal and rarely settle in Russia. The farm in Maksimovka is surrounded by high metal fences. The Chinese migrants who work there only leave the site to go shopping. At the centre of this village in Russia's Far East sits an old abandoned building - there is no lock on the door and inside, the floor is littered with papers dating back to the 1980s and 90s. Here lie clues to why a farm that once provided work to some 400 Russians was unable to survive. Like many of the collective farms in rural Russia, the Mayak farm collapsed with the old Soviet Union. That is when the Chinese workers arrived, in five border regions, and Russians have not always been happy to welcome their new neighbours. "Working in Russia is much the same as in China. You get up in the morning and go to work," says Chom Vampen. He is one of thousands of Chinese who have moved to this vast, under-populated part of Russia since the early 1990s. Most seek work at Russian- or Chinese-owned farms or buy the lease on the land to develop their own agricultural enterprises. As Russia's relations with the West have deteriorated, President Vladimir Putin has welcomed China's growing footprint here. Mayak's chairman, Yevgeny Fokin, leased thousands of hectares to Chinese entrepreneurs, attracted by low rents and large farms. "We gave the shares to Fokin, thinking it would be better if the land belonged to the collective. But he gave it all to the Chinese and left, and we lost everything," a local resident of Maksimovka village, Tatyana Ivanovna, said. "No way," says Mr Fokin. "There was nothing unusual about it ." How Chinese companies took over Chinese companies first appeared in Russia's Far East in the early 2000s, but Beijing's interest in the region increased after the global financial crisis of 2008. "There was panic, [the Chinese] were looking at where to invest," the head of a Chinese-owned farm told BBC Russian, preferring not to give his name. Chinese investment was followed by an influx of Chinese migrants. "We have little land and a lot of people," said one Chinese farmer. Based on data released by the state land register, BBC Russian calculated that Chinese citizens either owned or leased at least 350,000 hectares (3,500 sq km) of Far Eastern land in Russia. In 2018, around 2.2 million hectares of Russian land in the region was used for agricultural purposes. The actual proportion could be higher, the BBC has learned. Chinese farmers are, according to BBC research, represented in 40% of the Far East, most significantly in the Jewish autonomous region of Birobidzhan. Regional governor Alexander Levintal said that in many cases land officially leased by Russians was in reality managed by Chinese nationals. "Almost all the land that belonged to collectives was handed over to the Chinese," said the head of the Jewish autonomous region's peasant association, Alexander Larik. Why relations are uneasy Most of the farms run by Chinese migrants resemble fortresses. At Babstovo, a half-hour drive from the Chinese border, lies Friendship farm, which is surrounded by a high fence and a red flag. But things are different in the village of Opitnoye Polye, where Xin Jie employs Russian as well as Chinese workers. Like many Chinese here, he adopted a Russian name and is now known as Chinese Dima. Chinese Dima moved to Russia in the 1990s and leased more than 2,500 hectares of land to develop a soya plantation. He is actively involved in the community, buying presents for nursery school children and sending his tractor to help clear the snow in remote villages in the winter. Few have integrated quite as well. Conflicts between Russians and Chinese are not uncommon. In 2015, three Russians entered a Chinese factory in the Far Eastern Amur region and threatened a Chinese guard with a stick, demanding he give them food. A few days later, when they returned to steal a tractor engine, they were confronted by the same Chinese guard who this time carried an axe. They were given prison sentences ranging from five to nine years. Most Chinese cross the border for seasonal work, for sowing or harvesting, and then return home. But many Russians are unhappy with the Chinese influx. More than one in three people said they viewed China's Russia policy as expansion, according to a poll conducted in 2017 by the Russian Academy of Sciences. Almost half said that China threatened Russia's territorial integrity, while a third believed that it endangered their country's economic development. "They leave at seven in the morning and return after dark. I don't see them and they don't see me," says Ivanovich of his Chinese neighbours in the village of Dimitrovo. But some Russians have struck up friendships with the Chinese. "They bring beer, we drink. I give them eggs and honey," says Alexander. Why Russian workers struggle to compete Chinese farm workers in Russia's Far East often have a better reputation than their Russian counterparts. "The Chinese do not drink and they have nowhere to run; they come here for the season. Our citizens come to work for a week, plead for money and then go on a bender," complained one Russian agricultural boss who declined to give his name. Mr Larik, of the peasant association in the Jewish autonomous region, said Chinese farm owners generally preferred hiring Chinese migrants and gave Russian nationals low-skilled jobs. A Chinese farmer who asked to stay anonymous complained about the drinking habits of Russian employees. "All Russians drink. Today you pay them, tomorrow they do not show up. There are problems with discipline," he said. Russia has a poor record of protecting workers' rights, especially in the agriculture industry, which is generally low paid. Not everyone here has a low opinion of local workers. "What is the difference between Russian and Chinese workers? Russian workers are smarter than the Chinese," says Chom Vampen. Translation by Katherine Zeveleva. Original source: BBC published: 2019-11-14 | Responsible Editor: Xie Jinli
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4 new Cambodian banana plantations approved for export to China4 new Cambodian banana plantations approved for export to China 4 new Cambodian banana plantations approved for export to China The General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) recently greenlit four new Cambodian plantations to export their bananas to the Chinese market. This brings the total number of Cambodian banana plantations approved to export to China up to nine, representing a total planting area of around 10,000 hectares. Cambodian bananas were first approved for import to China in April this year. The Beijing Capital Agribusiness Group (CAG) has recently announced their intentions to invest US $30 million in the Cambodian banana industry. At a meeting with officials from the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture in Beijing, Li Zhijun, the head of the Beijing Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, stated that the group is researching and preparing an investment plan and is considering purchasing 1500 hectares of land in Cambodia for banana planting. According to a report by the Khmer Times, the Beijing Capital Agribusiness Group believes that Cambodia has good potential as a destination for agricultural investments. Recent reports from Cambodia's Ministry of Agriculture indicate that Cambodia exported 110,512 tons of fresh bananas in the first nine months of this year, mainly to China, Vietnam and Japan. Head of the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture's head office, Ngin Chhay, welcomed the plan and promised to promote the planned investments. Chhay expressed the importance of such investments to the development of the Ministry of Agriculture, emphasizing that they would help modernize the agricultural sector and encourage high quality standards for the processing, packaging and export of agricultural produce. Srey Vuthy, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, stated that Cambodia is a very attractive market for overseas investors, particularly from China, thanks to its geographical location and favorable investment policies. Vuthy also expressed that Cambodia must make the most of this opportunity and strive to expand the export volume of agricultural produce to help maintain economic growth. According to Longmate Agriculture director Hong Lak, Cambodia's banana plantations have been expanding rapidly since early 2019, and Cambodia's banana exports to China are expected to grow significantly over the next few years, possibly even eclipsing rice in terms of profit. Longmate Agriculture has over 400 hectares of banana plantations in the Chhuk District of Cambodia's Kampot Province, equipped with a local packaging facility. The company's banana exports to China for 2019 are projected to reach 22,000 tons, with next year's target set at 33,000 tons. Source originale: Produce Report published: 2019-11-14 | Responsible Editor: Xie Jinli
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World Bank, EBRD support land reform in Ukraine, president announces referendumWorld Bank, EBRD support land reform in Ukraine, president announces referendum World Bank, EBRD endorse Ukrainian land reform as president announces referendum by Dominik Istrate The World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have reaffirmed their support for the Ukrainian government's plans to lift a more than decade-long moratorium on the purchases of Ukrainian farmland, Interfax Ukraine has reported. “Land reform is needed for Ukrainian farmers to buy and sell agricultural land, access credit, invest and diversify, as well as land owners to get a proper return for their most valuable asset," the World Bank said in a statement. According to the bank, the government's reform plans include limiting land concentration, stopping raider attacks and providing financial assistance for small farmers. “Two decades of a closed market and non-transparency that fosters corruption are enough: the time for land reform is now," the World Bank continued. “We are also obviously completely in favour of reforming the land market. This is a historic opportunity. That is why we want to make sure it is implemented correctly and the right safeguards are put in place. Ukrainians deserve to have a fair and transparent agricultural land market and to be defended from corruption and abuse," EBRD Managing Director for Eastern Europe and the Caucasus Matteo Patrone added. However, Mr Patrone also warned the Ukrainian government not to hurry with the reform plans. Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, announced on November 11 that a nationwide referendum would be held on the reopening the Ukrainian land market. “Foreigners, and companies that have foreigners among their founders, will be entitled to buy Ukrainian lands only if the people of Ukraine consents to this in an all-Ukrainian referendum," wrote Ukrainian news agency UNIAN, quoting Mr Zelensky. Reforming the land market and allowing foreign companies to buy farmland has been one of the most controversial political issues confronting the new Ukrainian government. Original source: Emerging Europe published: 2019-11-14 | Responsible Editor: Xie Jinli
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China brings 80 investors to TanzaniaChina brings 80 investors to Tanzania China brings 80 investors to Tanzania By Abduel Elinaza An 80-member business delegation from China's Shandong Province will arrive in the country on Wednesday for a four-day business and investing scouting mission. Once in the country, the delegation mission organised by the Department of Commence of Shandong in collaboration with Tanzania Investment Centre and East Africa's Commercial and Logistics Centre Chamber of Commerce (EACLCCC), will have two days each in the mainland and Isles. EACLCCC Manager Ms Cathy Wang said the delegation comprising of government and private companies are looking for export and import opportunities. "Their intention is to explore the Tanzania market for a friendly exchanges and common development of bilateral relations and mutual development between Tanzania and China," Ms Wang told reporters yesterday. EACLCCC, registered this year, has so far attracted 400 members mostly from Tanzania and designed to foster mutual business and investment relation for Sino-Tanzania. The delegation, under the guidance of Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and Tanzania Prime Minister's Office (Investment) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, will have a special forum on Thursday before proceeding to Zanzibar on the next day. The delegation will look on how to scale up agriculture export and import trading in the area of agriculture equipment and products. "They will exchange views on motor vehicle- new and used, aquatic products, marine culture industry, fishery, as well as livestock industry," Ms Wang said. They will also discuss general situation regarding financing import and export trades as well as Sino- Tanzania trade financing programme. "The delegation will also look on the possibility of direct import and export, cutting a third part country. "For instance, China is consuming a lot of beef from Tanzania but mostly imported through Kenya," Ms Wang said. Once in the country, the delegation will be hosted by the Prime Minister's Office (Investment), Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Livestock and Fishery, TIC, Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) and EACLCCC. Shandong is the third wealthiest province in China with a GDP of 1.156 trillion US dollars last year. It is also one of populous with over 100.5 million people as of this year's census. Original source: All Africa published: 2019-9-8 | Editor: Xie Jinli
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World Bank grants $0.2 billion for agricultural development project in UkraineWorld Bank grants $0.2 billion for agricultural development project in Ukraine World Bank allocates Ukraine $200 mln for agricultural development project The World Bank and the Finance Ministry of Ukraine signed an agreement to raise a loan in the amount of USD 200 million to Program-for-Results (PforR) on Accelerating Private Investment in Agriculture. "Ukrainian Finance Minister Oksana Markarova and World Bank Country Director for Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine Satu Kahkonen signed a loan agreement between Ukraine and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) on Program-for-Results (PforR) on Accelerating Private Investment in Agriculture in the amount of USD 200 million," the press service of the Finance Ministry reports. The program aims to increase agricultural sector competitiveness, diversification, and growth by enhancing the efficiency and targeting of sectoral support policies, improving transparency and efficiency of use in the state agricultural land, and improving agribusiness SMEs' access to export markets. All of these are key preconditions for the successful development of the agriculture sector. The program is also expected to enhance sector policies to increase access to key agricultural inputs by improving efficiency and targeting of the current agriculture state support programs; enhance transparency in land lease markets; complete the registration of all state land; and strengthen land rights protection by improving owners' and users' awareness and enforcement of their rights. The project will be implemented as part of the Strategy on Attracting Private Investment in Agriculture for the period until 2023, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on July 5, 2019. The strategy aims to support the efforts of the Government of Ukraine, in particular, the Agrarian Policy Ministry, the Regional Development Ministry and the Justice Ministry, to create favorable conditions for private investments, including small and medium enterprises, in the agriculture sector. Original source: UKInform published: 2019-9-8 | Editor: Xie Jinli
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Chinese CEE equity partner invests € 60 million m to acquire Romanian granary, logistics centerChinese CEE equity partner invests € 60 million m to acquire Romanian granary, logistics center CHINA'S CEE EQUITY PARTNERS INVESTS €60M TO ACQUIRE ROMANIAN GRAIN SILOS, LOGISTICS HUBS china's CEE Equity Partners announced an investment of €60 million (US$67 million) through China's Central and Eastern Europe Investment Cooperation Fund II for the acquisition of 15 grain silos and logistics hubs in Romania, from the Brise Group, held by Bristol Logistics SA. As one of the largest agribusinesses in Romania, the Brise Group will use the funds to modernize and upgrade its business, with €25 million (US$28 million) being allocated to establish a new company in partnership with CEE Equity Partners, and the remaining €35 million (US$39 million) going to Brise Group itself, reports Romania Insider. Romania is emerging as an important actor in international grain trade, serving as a channel connecting southeastern European producers with destination markets, particularly in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and across the EU. Additionally, the country saw record breaking production for wheat, maize, and sunflower last year, with a total grain harvest of 31 million tons. Registered in Luxembourg under The China Central and Eastern European Investment Co-operation Fund II SCS SICAV-SIF, the China CEE Fund II was formed in November 2017, and saw its first close three months later at $800 million with commitments from CEE Equity Partners Ltd., Silk Road Fund, the Hungarian EXIM Bank, and the China EXIM Bank. The assets touched by the deal are strategically located throughout the most agriculturally productive regions of Romania, and are situated such to offer multimodal shipment connections by road, rail, and water. These assets will be upgraded and modernized to strengthen their loading and discharge rates, and to improve their storage capacity, traceability, and treatment related services. Through this investment CEE Equity Partners will be investing in a purposely structured Romanian company for the modernization, integration, development, and construction of open access grain hubs and terminals. Meanwhile, the deal will enable the Brise Group to focus solely on its grain origination and trading business once the divestment of its logistics hubs to Fund II is complete. From this point on, the company will be a grain origination client of Bristol Logistics' infrastructure platform - a pioneer for Romania, as it is open to all farmers and traders operating within the catchment areas served by Bristol Logistics' network, according to a statement announcing the deal. Original source: Global AgInvesting published: 2019-8-13 | Editor: Xie Jinli
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China's rice farms help boost food security and employment in central UgandaChina's rice farms help boost food security and employment in central Uganda Chinese rice farm helps boost food security, employment in central Uganda KALUNGU, Uganda, June 27 (Xinhua) -- A large expanse of lush green rice paddies is a major highlight along the highway from Uganda's capital Kampala to the southern part of the country. The 3,000 acre rice farm, with a target of reaching 6,000 acres here in the central district of Kalungu, is owned by Zhong's Industries Ltd, a private Chinese enterprise. At the farm, workers from across the east African country are busy working. At the section of ready to harvest rice, dozens of youths battle with swarms of birds that come to feed on the rice. As a daily task, they whistle, shout and flap to scare away the birds. "I wake up at six in the morning to go and scare away the birds. We are a group of several youths who do this," 24-year-old Brown Mfitundinda told Xinhua in a recent interview. Several hundreds of meters away, combined harvesters are busy as tractors ferry the harvested rice to the rice processing facility also located on the farm. At the facility, there are huge sun drying areas where the rice from the field is spread out on cemented floors by several dozens of youths mostly women. After the drying the rice is ferried into the processing facility where it is milled before it is packed in 50kg bags with inscriptions "Zhong Yi" rice. Zhong Shuangquan, managing director Zhong's Industries Ltd, told Xinhua in a recent interview that there are over 1,200 local employees and five Chinese working on the farm. The Chinese largely offer technical expertise especially in preparing the land for cultivation, technology, machinery and sales, according to Zhong. He said planting, cultivation, harvesting and processing and sales goes on throughout the year. On average the farm makes daily sales of up to 40 tons of rice per day. Zhong said the company plans to also use the out-grower model where millions of acres of land will be opened up for rice farming across the country. In Uganda, rice growing is considered strategic as it has the potential to contribute to increasing rural incomes and improving food and nutrition security. Some of the rice of the country has been exported to regional markets like neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. Experts say the demand for rice is continuing to grow because of the increasing population. CHINA BOOST China through a tripartite agreement with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and some member countries has over the years been sending technical experts to Africa through the South-South Cooperation Program. Uganda is one of the countries that have benefited from this on-the-farm training of small scale farmers to boost production. At the end of the second phase of the program in 2017, about 3,000 farmers were trained in cereals, horticulture, aquaculture and livestock in Uganda, according to the ministry of agriculture. During the project, the Chinese technicians introduced the growth of Chinese hybrid rice. Official studies showed that the hybrid rice can yield up to 10 metric tons per hectare compared to the conventional rice which yields 4.5 metric tons per hectare. Farmers in eastern Uganda, a region renown for rice growing, have already taken on growing the Chinese hybrid rice to boost their household income. Uganda also established the 220-million-dollar Kehong China-Uganda Agricultural Industrial Park. The park, according to the Ugandan government, will be critical in transforming the country's economy which is largely dependent on agriculture. When fully operational, Kehong China-Uganda Agricultural Industrial Park is expected to produce about 600,000 tons of agro-products annually to meet the domestic and regional market demands. Among the agro-products include rice. EMPLOYMENT Zhong argued that massive investment in rice growing in Uganda will not only boost food security but also create employment. He said for every youth employed at the Zhong's Industries Ltd rice farm, there are several people who benefit. Abel Mfitumukiza, a supervisor at the farm said after several years of looking for formal employment with no success, he left his home district Kisoro in southwestern Uganda and sought to work on the rice farm on recommendation of his brother who was already an employee at the farm. Mfitumukiza said over the years he has managed to build a permanent house for his family back at home. He also uses part of his savings to pay school fees for his siblings who were on the verge of dropping out of school. According to the managers of Kehong China-Uganda Agricultural Industrial Park, when the park is fully operational, it will create 25,000 jobs and avail opportunities of training for the local people. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN Under the country's wetland restoration drive, there is increasing concern from environmentalists over the cultivation of rice in wetlands. The activists argue that the farmers should instead resort to upland rice farming instead of what they called destroying wetlands. Ministry of water and environment figures show that the country's wetland coverage has reduced to 8 percent from 13 percent of the country's land surface. The reduction is attributed to the population pressure where people are now resorting to wetland reclamation to farm. Zhong's Industries Ltd rice farm has faced this criticism but Zhong said they got clearance from the country's National Environment Management Authority. Richard Vvuube, senior environment officer Kalungu district where the farm is located told Xinhua that there is need to strike a balance between protecting the environment and also producing food and creating employment. "We will advise them on how to protect and conserve the environment and at the same time we are getting the food," Vvuube said. Original source: Xinhua published: 2019-7-2 | Responsible Editor: Xie Jinli
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Zambian government says willing to cooperate with China to boost agricultural productionZambian government says willing to cooperate with China to boost agricultural production Zambian gov't says partnering with China to boost agricultural production NDOLA, Zambia, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese investments in Zambia's agricultural sector will enhance technology adoption in the country's farming industry, which will result in higher food productivity, a senior government official has said. Minister of Agriculture Michael Katambo said in an interview with Xinhua early this week that Zambia is partnering with foreign investors, especially the Chinese in the farming industry to improve national food production. "Our partnering with Chinese in agriculture sector will scale up investment in the farming industry in our country," he said, adding the Chinese have shown an interest in investing in the country's aquaculture sector. Katambo said Zambia should be turned into a regional food basket in the next few years because of the anticipated increase in investment. Agriculture sector is one of the major revenue generation contributors towards Zambia's economic growth, he added. The government, he said, has set aside 100,000 hectares of land across provinces to open up farming activities on a commercial basis. "We are encouraging all our private partners to help develop the undeveloped farming blocks across the country. We want to be a food basket in the southern region," he said. This, he said, can only be achieved when the agriculture sector engages in modern agriculture technology to enhance farming activities. According to him, the construction of multi-purpose dams such as Muwomboshi dam in Central province and Kafulafuta dam on the Copperbelt province will help harness water for improved irrigation activities. "Farmers will benefit a lot to grow food all year round through enhanced irrigation system," he said. Original source: Xinhua published: 2019-5-11 | Editor: Xie Jinli
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China Vigorously Developing Agricultural Cooperation with Countries Along "the belt and road initiative"China Vigorously Developing Agricultural Cooperation with Countries Along "the belt and road initiative" China Touts Agriculture Cooperation with Belt-Road Countries China's investment in foreign agricultural projects is booming, according to statistics peddled by Chinese agricultural officials during last weekend's "Belt and Road" summit held in Beijing. China Central TV reported that China has 850 foreign agricultural-related projects in commodities such as rice, corn, soybeans, natural rubber, palm oil, cotton and livestock that reflect "deepening cooperation" with "Belt and Road" countries. According to Ma Hongtao, director of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Foreign Cooperation Office, China has 657 agricultural projects in Belt and Road countries valued at $9.4 billion, up 70 percent from five years earlier. 89 percent of investments are carried out by private entities, the official said. Ms. Ma explained that investments had evolved from an early focus on crop production to a broader collection of processing, transportation, storage, and ambitions to pull along industry development and create employment in the target countries. She said over 400 "senior agricultural experts" had been dispatched to developing countries for training and demonstration since 2014. Official Chinese statistics show that agriculture, forestry, and fishing investment abroad has been slowing. Annual outbound investment flows rose rapidly from $500 million in 2010 to a peak of $3.3 billion in 2016. In 2017 outbound ag investment slowed to $2.2 billion and it slowed again to $1.8 billion in 2018. This reflects a general slowdown in outbound investment as authorities put the clamps on outflows of cash. These statistics don't include major investments in processing such as the purchase of Smithfield Foods (which is actually owned by a holding company listed in Hong Kong) or COFCO's purchases of agricultural trading companies. Source: China Statistical Yearbooks The official statistics show agriculture, forestry, and fishing is the smallest sector for China's outbound foreign investment. Since 2005, ag-forestry-fishing has accounted for between 1.1 and 1.8 percent of all outbound foreign investment. The stock of China's outbound foreign direct investment in agriculture, forestry and fishing was $6.56 billion at the end of 2017, accounting for 0.9 percent of China's total outbound FDI. At one of a dozen forums held last week, China's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Han Changfu said stronger cooperation in agriculture is "urgently needed" to address lagging agricultural infrastructure, low quality of products, and insufficient "food security capacity" in many countries. China aspires to promote policy coordination, market integration, investment increase, upgrades of agriculture in partner countries. China plans to send out 500 agricultural experts in the next three years to help developing countries raise production capacity, Han said. Han called for expanded contacts in trade of agricultural products, lower trade barriers, mutually open markets, formation of equal and mutual long-term stable relations between trade partners; creation of an open, transparent, inclusive and non-discriminatory agricultural economic and trade environment; more sharing of achievements in science and technology, a stronger focus on cooperation in science and technology, technology practice demonstration bases and industry parks, and exploration of new models for technology and research extension. Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Qu Dongwu promised major efforts in multilateral and "south-south" cooperation with countries on the Belt and Road. Agricultural officials from Argentina, Pakistan, Mozambique, and Tajikistan recited their ambitions to expand agricultural trade and cooperation with China. Another article in State media highlighted efforts to develop new points of entry to create a "green channel" for agricultural products from Central Asian countries. A complex of farms on China's Alashankou border crossing will quarantine thousands of live animals imported from Kazakstan. The first phase of the 660-million-yuan project built by CITIC Construction Ltd Co (a subsidiary of a State-owned investment company) will be able to hold 100,000 cattle, 30,000 sheep, and 12,000 donkeys and horses after its planned opening in October 2019. A second phase will expand capacity next year. China has been upgrading border crossings from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan and streamlining of customs clearance processes since 2015, the article said. China's Xinjiang region now has 4 designated entry points for grain, 3 for fruit, 2 for fish and shellfish products, and 1 for planting material; 7 meat entry points and 1 for fruit have been approved. The article highlights horses for slaughter, sheep meat, aquaproducts, wheat, wheat bran, and soybeans from Kazakhstan; fish products, mangoes, tangerines from Pakistan; cherries and mung beans from Uzbekistan; cherries from Tajikistan; breeding horses and cherries from Kyrgyzstan; Belarus poultry; Mongolian frozen horse meat; and plants used for Chinese traditional medicine. Earlier this month, 600 metric tons of Kazakh wheat arrived with much fanfare at a free trade zone in Lanzhou, Gansu province, built to process imports from Central Asia. The wheat was trucked from Kazakhstan to the Lanzhou zone where it cleared customs. A pharmaceutical company in the Lanzhou zone called Haixiang Biotech Ltd Co will sell the wheat to be used as animal feed in Chongqing and Chengdu. The shipment is said to be a demonstration of plans for expanded trade in grain and oils with Central Asia. One rationale for boosting the trade is to utilize empty shipping containers returning to China from Europe. The Assistant manager of the company operating the free trade zone told State media that the zone will work hard to attract companies through tax rebates, land lease fees, and electricity rates. Original source: Dim Sums published: 2019-5-11 | Editor: Xie Jinli
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China's Yili agrees to buy New Zealand's WESTLAND MILK for $0.404 billionChina's Yili agrees to buy New Zealand's WESTLAND MILK for $0.404 billion CHINA'S YILI AGREES TO BUY NZ'S WESTLAND MILK FOR US$404M Hongkong Jingang Trade Holding Co., Limited (“Jingang”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group (Yili), the largest dairy company in Asia (with a 22 percent market share) has agreed to fully acquire New Zealand's Westland Milk for NZ$588 million (US$404 million). Westland is the second largest dairy company in New Zealand after Fonterra, accounting for up to approximately 4 percent of the raw milk supplied in the country, and sells its products to more than 40 countries around the world. But because of Westland's inability to offer competitive milk prices, a strategic review was conducted by the Board, which when finished, launched Project Horizon, a process to explore future capital and ownership options for the company that would provide a long-term solution to its shareholders, said the company in a statement. The Board engaged with more than 35 interested parties looking to either fully acquire, merge, or invest in Westland. This group was narrowed down to a short list of parties that participated in detailed financial, legal, and operational due diligence. “Under the proposed transaction our shareholder farmers who are existing suppliers upon the implementation of the scheme will receive the benefit of Westland's (under the new ownership) commitment (which is guaranteed by Jingang) to collect milk and pay a competitive payout of a minimum of the Fonterra Farm Gate Milk Price for 10 seasons from the season commencing 1 August 2019," said chairman Pete Morrison. Yili has had a presence in New Zealand since 2013, when it acquired South Catebury-based Oceania. In the years since, Yili had invested RMB 3 billion (US$442 million) to establish UHT, milk powder, and infant formula production lines for Oceania. “The board believes that the proposed transaction represents the best available outcome for our shareholders, and has the unanimous support of the Board," said Morrison. “The acquisition price represents an attractive price to the Westland shares' nominal value. Westland will seek shareholder approval for the proposed transaction at a special shareholder meeting which is expected to be held in early July 2019 ." A Strong NZ Sector This is the second large-scale deal in as many weeks in New Zealand dairy. In mid-March, Milltrust International and Milltrust Agricultural Investments (MAI) announced the acquisition of a 24.9 percent stake in Waitonui Milltrust Agricultural Holdings (WMAH), a newly launched entity owned in partnership with a consortium of New Zealand investors. The announcement of the WMAH acquisition represents the consolidation of a string of investments made over the past six months that together culminate in the formation of a large-scale, integrated dairy and beef farming enterprise. With assets valued at more than $125 million, WMAH manages a portfolio of farms and related assets totaling 3,500 hectares across both the North Island and South Island. Combined, the farms milk 10,000 cows and produce more than four million kilograms of milk per year, making WMAH one of the largest suppliers to Fonterra, the top dairy processor in New Zealand. Despite the difficulties faced by Westland, New Zealand's production model, and its close geographic proximity to high-demand Asian markets, saw the country offering its farmers highest prices for milk in the world as of July of last year. As the calendar turned to 2019, China was ranked first in dairy imports, accounting for 26 percent of global shipments. Of this volume, New Zealand accounts for 40 percent, significantly outpacing all other suppliers. Concurrently a new report issued by the Global Dairy Trade revealed that the first dairy auction of 2019 reflected the third consecutive increase for global dairy prices, rising another 2.8 percent. The deal for Westland, however, must still overcome certain hurdles before it can close, requiring an approval vote from a minimum 75 percent of shareholders (in each asset class), and more than 50 percent of all shareholders entitled to vote. It must also gain approval from the High Court in accordance with section 236 of the New Zealand Companies Act, approval under the Overseas Investment Act, among other customary conditions. If approved, Yili CEO Zhang said that it would spark an immediate competitive milk price for Westland's farmers, and an immediate sharing of expertise gained over the years by each of the companies. “We believe we are offering farmers shareholders a stronger financial future, and greater access to international markets ," said Zhang. “In return, we are asking to become the custodians of one of New Zealand's most trusted brands - Westland Milk - with all of the knowledge, history, and expertise that comes along with that ." -Lynda Kiernan published: 2019-4-12 | Editor: Xie Jinli
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UAE prince reveals interest in investing in Liberia's agriculture sectorUAE Prince Nahyan reveals interest in investing in Liberia's agriculture sector UAE Prince Nahyan unveils interest to invest In Liberia's agric sector The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, in the United Arabs Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed al Nahyan, has expressed 'great interest' in investing in Liberia's agriculture sector. The Prince said his country currently has agriculture cooperation agreements with several other African countries, and is now keen on ensuring that Liberia becomes part of such pacts. “Unlike other countries in the region, Liberia has a smaller population that could make collaboration between the two countries “more feasible," he said. The Prince was speaking when a delegation representing President George Weah paid him a courtesy visit during the annual International Defense Exhibition Conference (IDEX) which is currently underway in Abu Dhabi. The delegation comprised the Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Lenn Eugene Nagbe and Minister of State without Portfolio, Trokon Kpui. President Weah, who could not attend the conference due to other pressing engagements, according to a dispatch, was sorted to be IDEX's 2019 guest of honor. The Liberian President recently declared that as his government rolls out its much-valued road infrastructure development across the country, it will equally place emphasis on agriculture as a corresponding initiative. Mechanized farming, said the President, was the solution to food insecurity in the country. In their bilateral discussion with the Crown Prince, Minister Nagbe extended President Weah's profound gratitude for the UAE's many humanitarian gestures towards the people of Liberia. Nagbe made particular mention of the Middle East nation's recent sponsorship of 1,000 Liberian Muslims to the Hajj in Mecca. He said the gesture manifested the cordial relationship between both nations and to this the Crown Prince said President Weah holds a special place in the hearts of many of his compatriots. Minister Nagbe also encouraged the Prince to consider other areas of possible cooperation which are priorities for the Liberian leader, citing education, capacity-building, tourism, economy, infrastructure and health which are crucial to the West African nation's development. The Information Minister also told the Crown Prince that President Weah is committed to ensuring that his personal bond with the UAE is translated into a mutually beneficial relationship for both countries. The government of Liberia is due to craft new practical and realistic agriculture policies, incentivize the sector by providing access to credit, reduce tariffs on agriculture implements, and provide small machines, seeds and fertilizers, the President told lawmakers in his second Sate-of-the-Nation speech. The agriculture sector accounts for more than 70 percent of household earnings in Liberia, but subsistence farming has not been able to yield the needed results in alleviating poverty through food sufficiency among the population. Original source: APA release date: 2019-3-5 | Editor: Xie Jinli
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Egypt to Increase Investment in Zambia's AgricultureEgypt to Increase Investment in Zambia's Agriculture Egypt to increase investment in Zambia's agriculture sector LUSAKA, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Ambassador to Zambia Amhed Mustafa said Monday that agriculture cooperation with Zambia will lead to more Egyptian investment in the country. Last week, Zambia and Egypt signed a memorandum of understanding on bolstering Zambia's agriculture and fishery sectors during a visit by Egyptian Agriculture Minister Ezzeddin Abu Steit. The deal includes the construction of a new farm project of greenhouse vegetable production over an area of 600 hectares (6 square kilometers) in central Zambia's Mkushi district. Mustafa said the agreement was a step forward in increasing Egyptian investments and support in Zambia's agriculture sector. The Egyptian envoy said the agreement was a clear manifestation of sound bilateral ties, adding that more Egyptian experts will visit Zambia to share their knowledge and expertise Original source: Xinhua published: 2019-2-12 | Editor: Xie Jinli
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Nigeria's Edo State and Central Bank to Cooperate to Build 100000 Hectares PlantationNigeria: Edo State and the Central Bank to cooperate in the construction of a 100000-hectare plantation Nigeria: Edo, CBN partner on development of 100,000-hectare plantation The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government is in discussions with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to develop a programme that will see investors taking up 100,000 hectares of agricultural land in the state for plantation development. The governor said this when he met with a delegation from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), led by IFC Vice President, Middle East and Africa, Mr. Segio Pimenta, on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Benin City, the Edo State capital. The governor said that the state is keenly interested in increasing agricultural land under cultivation in the state to create wealth, fight deforestation and boost the economy, noting that the concerns of environmentalists are taken into consideration in increasing the hectarage under cultivation in the state. According to him, “Edo State has the largest oil palm estate in the country even that is comparatively small when you relate it to what is happening in South-East Asia. Total agricultural land under cultivation is under 70,000 hectares which is less than one farm in Indonesia." He continued, “We want to make sure that what we produce can compete globally. As such, we decided to first deal with concerns of the environment by taking a forest audit and now we have been able to earmark close to 250,000 hectares of degraded forest land for agricultural purpose. “We made a commitment last week to CBN to make 100,000 available to be properly screened by investors, as the CBN wants to develop a programme with us as a pilot." “We want to get a commitment of getting or re-growing one hectare of forest from every four hectares cultivated in the state. This will help us to be competitive in the next few years in terms of our forestry assets," he added. Pimenta, on his part, said the organisation has heard of all the good works the governor was doing to develop the state and its economy, which are geared towards making life better for the people of the state. I'll build on infrastructural development - Buhari He said the organisation is supporting progressive states that are doing well in various areas, with education as one of the major areas of focus, noting “Education is one area the state is getting our fundamental support. We look at human capacity index focusing on how we can help build human capacity in countries and states we operate in. This is responsible for the collaboration with Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EDOBEST) programme and BRIDGE ." Original source: Vanguard published: 2019-2-12 | Editor: Xie Jinli
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Uzbekistan offers 20000 hectares of land to farmers and enterprisesUzbekistan offers 20000 hectares of land to farmers and enterprises Uzbekistan offers 20,000 hectare land to farmers, firms Farmers, agro processing biz units and others will soon come together in a conglomerate of sorts as part of an MoU signed between Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation (GAIC) and the Republic of Uzbekistan. As part of the MoU, the Uzbek government has also offered around 20,000 ha of land for farming, as well as for agro industries in the Central Asian Country. The MoU calls for formation of various agencies under GAIC to provide training for capacity building and facilitate technology transfer between both the countries, said a government official. "We are looking at farm to fork solutions and the Uzbek government has offered 20,000 ha of land. This means even farmers from Gujarat will be able to make use of the opportunity," said Sanjay Prasad additional chief secretary, department of Agriculture at the inaugural session on sustainable technology driven agriculture for new India at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2019 on Sunday. KS Randhawa, Managing Director, GAIC said that it will provide the opportunity for formation of agro processing clusters. "Several players can come together to make use of the opportunity provided by the MoU. The Uzbek government was very keen on the project and we plan to create a conglomerate of sorts that will deal with various aspects of agro processing under the leadership of GAIC," said Randhawa. He said they are looking at farm to fork solutions. "So what we are saying is that we can look at the opportunity to not only produce something but also get into value addition and provide the final product too," said Randhawa. He said as part of the MoU the Uzbek government has not only offered land but also the technology. "This transfer of technology will also also enable our farmers and businessmen to use it in Gujarat. This is a win-win-deal,"s aid Randhawa. It should be noted that in all 28360 MoUs were signed during the three days of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2019 of which 408 were in the agro food processing sector. Original source: DNA India published: 2019-2-12 | Editor: Xie Jinli
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Chinese companies invest in cotton plantations in CambodiaChinese companies invest in cotton plantations in Cambodia Chinese firm to invest in cotton plantations by Sum Manet Chinese firm Jiangsu Lianfa is now crop testing in Pursat province, in the country's west, and will start growing cotton on 180 hectares of land if test results are satisfactory, according to a company representative. The representative, who did not want to be named, said the company is so far happy with the results. “This is our first test. If yields are as high as the company expects, we will test a second time, this time on 180 hectares," the representative said. The company plans to maximise profit by rotating crops. Besides cotton, soybean and corn will also be grown, the representative said. The cotton harvested at the plantation will be processed by the company and supplied to textile factories around the world, including two in Pursat - Jincheng Garment Factory and Hengyu Garment Factory. Pursat agricultural department director Lay Piseth said the company has brought 20 types of cotton seeds from China to determine which are the most suitable for the region's land and climate. “As the company expands their operations, they will need more cotton, so our farmers will be very busy supplying them. “I heard that the company is also considering building a cotton-processing factory," he said, adding that if the factory is built, his department will contact Jiangsu Lianfa to urge the company to enter contract farming schemes with farmers in the province, which will guarantee a stable market and price for the farmers. The company signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Agriculture on Nov 22 during Minister Veng Sakhon's visit to Jiangsu province, in China's eastern-central coast. Original source: Khmer Times published: 2019-2-12 | Editor: Xie Jinli