Seed sector synergy builds model for Xinjiang-C. Asia BRI cooperation

Seed enterprises in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region have secured their first-ever Central Asian orders, marking a significant milestone in cross-border agricultural cooperation.

The breakthrough came as 19 cooperation projects totaling 697 million yuan ($103.7 million) were signed at the 2026 China Xinjiang Seed Exhibition and Trade Fair held on Aug 6. Themed "Empowering the seed industry with technology and ensuring food security through innovation", the event featured 300 standard booths and showcased 517 premium seed varieties alongside smart agricultural machinery, with multiple new crop varieties making their debut.

The 19 signed projects encompass 10 contracts between scientific institutions, universities and enterprises, five base construction agreements and four variety promotion initiatives. These partnerships cover a comprehensive seed industry system, including germplasm innovation, technology transfer, talent support, base breeding and cross-border exports.

The financial total includes 249 million yuan from on-site signings and 448 million yuan from offline agreements. Officials noted these achievements will play a positive role in integrating industry, academia and research, consolidating the foundation of food security and upgrading both industrial clusters and talent.

Cross-border seed cooperation emerged as a major highlight of the fair. Xinjiang Xiangfeng Biology and Technology Co Ltd partnered with Kazakhstan's Golden Valley Yelik Agriculture Technology Co Ltd to test and promote new varieties. Meanwhile, Xinjiang Jinfengyuan Seeds Co Ltd signed a framework agreement with Oguzabat, a company in Turkmenistan, establishing a bridge for seed exchange and technology sharing.

Through the Kazakhstan partnership, four premium corn varieties — specifically Xinyu 65, Xinyu 69, Xiangfeng 103 and Xiangnuo 606 silage corn — will be introduced to the Central Asian market, according to Zhou Zhicheng, general manager of Xinjiang Xiangfeng. The company planned to establish a 13.3-hectare trial field in Kazakhstan, collaborating on local variety approval, agricultural technical services, drying and storage facility construction, personnel training and corn feed import trade to help optimize local planting structures and boost grain production capacity.

Yermek Kodasbayev, CEO of Golden Valley Yelik, noted that Xinjiang and Central Asia share highly compatible natural conditions and planting structures, making them ideal partners for deepening technical exchanges and achieving mutual agricultural benefits.

Local authorities are actively supporting this partnership. Zheng Min, head of the Changji Hui autonomous prefecture, Xinjiang, said the region leverages the fair as a window for international exchange while strengthening its national-level seed industry innovation base. By providing comprehensive policy, land, water and financial guarantees, Changji aims to deepen industrial co-construction with Central Asian countries and build a model for agricultural cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Beyond the seed sector, booming e-commerce is injecting new vitality into broader agricultural trade between China and Central Asia. Following the launch of the Jiangsu Central Asia Center — jointly created by the Xuanwu district government in Nanjing and Jiangsu Soho Holdings Group — in September 2024, livestreaming sales have increasingly attracted Central Asian merchants. During last year's China International Import Expo, Kazakh representatives even invited livestreaming teams to sell camel milk and juice directly from their national pavilion.

"China's rapidly evolving sales methods are inspiring Central Asian agricultural operators to change their mindsets," said Matvey Zhivotovsky, export manager of Kazakhstan's Raimbek Group, a well-known juice and dairy producer. He added that livestreaming is a sales method worth trying, and the company is exploring logistics solutions for small — and multibatch supply to better adapt to the dynamic Chinese market.