CAF, from local to international

The 26th China Yangling Agricultural Hi-Tech Fair (CAF) which opened on Oct 22 attracted an increased number of foreign participants, indicating that the agricultural high-tech gala is no longer only local but has become international.

The SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) Agricultural Exhibition, one of the most important sub-exhibitions of CAF, opened at the same time with more than 60 foreign guests and representatives of more than 100 enterprises and institutions from 17 countries, including seven SCO member states, four observer states and six dialogue partner countries taking part.

Russia’s honey, black tea and red sea cucumber, Tajikistan’s dried apricots and almonds, Kazakhstan’s flour, edible oil and nuts, and Uzbekistan's tomatoes, grapes, pomegranates and mung beans were displayed at the exhibition to attract business and cooperation.

On June 14th of this year President Xi Jinping proposed the establishment of an SCO agricultural technology exchange training demonstration base in Shaanxi province at the nineteenth meeting of the Governing Council of SCO member states. This is the first time that China has established an important platform for exchanges with SCO countries in the field of agriculture and it is also a rare opportunity for Yangling to serve the national strategy and fulfill the national mission.

As an important platform for international agricultural science and technology cooperation and exchange, the CAF highlights the advantages and interests of the SCO.

Permanently located in Yangling, a new agricultural city in Shaanxi province, the China Yangling Agricultural High-tech Fair, this year holding its 26th session, is the highest level international agricultural high-tech fair in China. It is sponsored by 17 ministries and commissions including the Ministry of science and technology of the People's Republic of China, co-sponsored by UNESCO and other international organizations and hosted by the provincial people's government of Shaanxi in Northwest China.

According to Li Jiuhong, executive deputy director of the Management Committee of the Yangling Agricultural High-Tech Demonstration Zone, the CAF has witnessed the development process of China from a large agricultural country to an agricultural power since its establishment in 1994, made an important contribution to the development of China's agriculture and rural areas, created a new path for the demonstration and promotion of China's agricultural scientific and technological achievements, and contributed to international cooperation by entities active in China's modern agriculture.