Chief Agronomist Sun Zhonghua attends 33rd Session of FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific
DATE:2016-03-14 SOURCE:Information Office, MOA
Chinese delegation headed by MOA Chief Agronomist Sun Zhonghua attended the 33rd FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC) in Putrajaya, Malaysia on March 7-11, 2016.
The 33rd Session of APRC, a regional ministerial session under FAO, focused on the hot issues including the regional state of food and agriculture, development of smallholder farmers and nutrition, and the work of FAO. A roundtable meeting on Youth in Future Agriculture was held during the Session. Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva attended and addressed the opening ceremony.
MOA Chief Agronomist Sun introduced the achievements China has made in its agricultural and rural development and measures it has adopted. He also introduced China's agricultural development strategies in its 13th Five-Year Plan period. To boost agricultural development and food security in the region, he put forward the following suggestions: first, increase agricultural investment to steadily improve grain productivity; second, promote innovation in development concepts, mechanisms and technology to strengthen agricultural sustainability; third, support smallholder farmers' development to facilitate inclusive growth and poverty elimination; and fourth, expand agricultural trade and investment and leverage the market in ensuring food security.
Mr. Sun also stated that China will continue its policy of friendship and partnership with neighboring countries, and pursue common agricultural development and prosperity among countries in this region, by implementing the Belt and Road Initiative agricultural cooperation activities.
Mr. Sun met FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva during the session, and the two sides exchanged views on strengthening agricultural cooperation. Besides, Mr. Sun also held bilateral meeting with Pakistani Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research.