Qingdao cotton company picks a winning model for African farms

An agribusiness company in eastern China that has made significant inroads in the African market says its growing presence on the continent is boosting economic development and farmers' incomes.

Qingdao Ruichang Tech-Industrial Co was one of the first Chinese enterprises to grow cotton in Africa, entering the market in 2003.

Back then, the market was dominated by global conglomerates like Cargill, Plexus and Olam, said Liu Yanbo, deputy general manager of the company, based in Qingdao, Shandong province.