The 2025 General Assembly of the China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance (CAASTIA) began on Monday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, focusing on strengthening cooperation for Africa’s food security and agricultural modernisation.
President of the African Academy of Sciences, Lise Korsten, said China’s journey in agricultural modernisation, marked by intensive cultivation, developed value chains, and advances in digital agriculture, provides valuable lessons for Africa.
According to Korsten, China has mastered high-yield, technology-driven farming, feeding nearly 20 per cent of the global population with less than 9 per cent of the world’s arable land.
In contrast, Africa continues to struggle with food insecurity despite having 60 per cent of the world’s uncultivated arable land.
“This paradox of land and people underscores the need for a balanced partnership: one that marries Africa’s untapped potential with China’s proven innovations to build a resilient global food system,” said Korsten.
Head of the Chinese Mission to the African Union (AU), Jiang Feng, said China is ready to share its experience in agricultural development and rural poverty reduction with African countries to achieve sustainable progress.
He explained that the current agricultural technology revolution, powered by biotechnology, digital tools, and innovative farming equipment, offers new opportunities for both China and Africa to increase productivity and respond better to global challenges.
“China-Africa agricultural cooperation is evolving from traditional aid-based assistance to sustainable, capacity-building partnerships. This year, the Chinese government announced a zero-tariff policy covering all tariff items for 53 African countries with diplomatic relations with China. This will significantly enhance the access of African agricultural products to the Chinese market,” Jiang added.
Gaspard Banyankimbona, AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, said the partnership provides a platform for joint agricultural research and innovation.
He noted that China and Africa can work together to develop climate-resilient crops, sustainable soil and water systems, and early warning tools for pests and extreme weather.
“The China-Africa alliance provides the ideal vehicle to mobilise collective force to promote joint research in climate-smart agriculture, animal and plant health, agro-ecology and food safety, technology transfer and localisation, capacity development through scholarship and innovation ecosystem,” Banyankimbona emphasised.
The three-day event, co-organised by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the African Academy of Sciences, and the Mission of China to the AU, brought together over 200 scientists, policymakers, and representatives from agricultural institutions across China and Africa.
