China, Cuba jointly launch Crop and Animal Farming Demonstration Park in Cuba

China, Cuba jointly launch Crop and Animal Farming Demonstration Park in Cuba

Under the witness of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Cuban President of the Council of State Raúl Castro, Chinese Agriculture Minister Han Changfu and his Cuban counterpart Rodríguez Rollero signed the Framework Agreement on Cuba-China Crop and Animal Farming Demonstration Park between the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Cuba and the Ministry of Agriculture of the People''s Republic of China on July 22, 2014.

The signing of this document officially initiated the development process of this Demonstration Park in Cuba.

Also during Minister Han''s visit to Cuba, Cuba-China Moringa Science & Technology Cooperation Center was unveiled in Havana. 

The establishment of the Demonstration Park is identified in light of the plan for agricultural cooperation signed between the two ministries in 2012. Under the Framework Agreement, bilateral cooperation will focus on the following areas:　

Firstly, develop a core zone under Los Naranjos Genetics Company in Artemisa Province of Cuba to conduct cooperation in demonstration on feed crop production, improvement of feed formulation, beef and dairy cattle farming as well as improvement of beef and milk processing techniques;

Secondly, establish the Moringa Science & Technology Cooperation Center at the Tropical Crop Research Institute of Yunnan in China and the Institute of Pasture and Forage of the Ministry of Agriculture of Cuba to carry out research collaboration in Moringa cultivation and feed improvement; 

Thirdly, set up the Sericulture S&T Cooperation Center at the Sericultural Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SRICAAS) and the National Sericulture Project Team of Cuba to develop cooperation in mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing and related product development; and　

Fourthly, conduct high-yield demonstration for rice, kidney bean and corn at project sites. 

In the next five years, the Chinese side will provide a part of agricultural inputs and equipment to the Cuban side for demonstration activities and send Chinese experts to Cuba by 50 person times, and invite 100 Cuban officials or experts to China for training or collaborative research. During Minister Han''s visit to Cuba, the Plaque-unveiling Ceremony for the Demonstration Park was held.

Moringa is high in protein, and rich in vitamins and minerals. It is of multi-function for its values in vegetable, nutrition additives, feed and health care. As a major component of the agricultural partnership, the cooperation in Moringa wins great attention from the leaders of both countries. In recent years, China and Cuba have conducted extensive cooperation in the Moringa field, including exchange of varieties, expert visits and collaborative research. On April 11, 2014, the China-Cuba Moringa Science & Technology Cooperation Center was inaugurated at the Tropical Crop Research Institute of Yunnan in China. In the future, the two sides will conduct wide-ranged cooperation in germplasm exchange, breeding (including selection of premium varieties and space breeding), efficient technologies for cultivation, disease and pest control, R&D and multiple utilization of Moringa products, nutritional additives for animal feeds, biodiversity research, and exchange and training of technical personnel.

Minister Han meets with his Cuban counterpart.

During his visit, Minister Han met with his Cuban counterpart Rodríguez Rollero and they exchanged views on China-Cuba agricultural cooperation, particularly on the Demonstration Park.

The two ministers also witnessed the signing of a series of Action Plans for cooperation in animal farming, Moringa and sericulture, and attended the Plaque-unveiling Ceremonies for the Demonstration Park, Moringa Science & Technology Cooperation Center and Sericulture S&T Cooperation Center.

The two ministers pledged to, in line with the instructions of leaders of respective countries, jointly build the Demonstration Park into a model for bilateral agricultural cooperation, for the purpose of raising agricultural productivity and ensuring food security in both countries.