Yangling: A growing hub for SCO agricultural cooperation

The Yangling Agricultural Hi-Tech Industrial Demonstration Zone in northwest China's Shaanxi Province has become a hub for China's growing efforts to deepen agricultural cooperation, knowledge exchange, and technological partnerships with SCO member countries and beyond.

Yangling: A center for innovation and knowledge sharing

Home to China's first national-level agricultural high-tech zone, Yangling has grown into a symbol of agricultural innovation, research, and modernization. From greenhouse automation and AI-assisted irrigation to precision soil management, Yangling demonstrates how innovation is reshaping farming practices, improving productivity, and addressing key challenges such as food security and climate resilience.

Sustainable practices that resonate globally

For many visiting experts, Yangling's focus on sustainable farming, food security, and rural revitalization resonated deeply, reflecting shared priorities back home.

"China's integration of AI, smart irrigation, and crop science is truly impressive," said Zenzile Khetsha, Assistant Dean at the Central University of Technology in South Africa. "I was particularly inspired by Yangling's automated greenhouse systems and advanced water-saving technologies. These are practices we can adapt in South Africa to improve research, optimize production, and strengthen farming capacity."

Khetsha also highlighted the significance of Yangling's demonstration-based learning model, where farmers, researchers, and industry experts work side by side. "Such collaboration accelerates innovation," he noted, adding that South Africa could benefit from similar technology-driven farming zones that bring together universities, extension officers, and local farmers.

For Ahmad Salisu, a government official from Kano State, Nigeria, the experience was equally eye-opening:

"China knows its soils and climate in incredible detail, and that knowledge drives productivity," Salisu said. "In Nigeria, we have fertile land, but we need similar soil mapping and research to identify which crops thrive best in which regions. If we integrate this approach with smart irrigation and precision farming, we can unlock our country's true agricultural potential."

Salisu was also impressed by China's use of interdisciplinary research to address complex farming challenges, with scientists, engineers, and policymakers working closely together. "This level of coordination is something we should replicate," he added, "especially in regions facing drought and water scarcity."

Bridging China, Africa, and beyond through SCO

Through joint training programs, demonstration zones, and academic exchanges, Yangling has already established twelve overseas agricultural technology demonstration parks in SCO member countries, including Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

African experts on the program emphasized the value of deeper cooperation in addressing shared challenges:

Climate adaptation through smart irrigation and AI-driven water-saving systems; improving food security by boosting productivity and optimizing crop choices; bridging research and practice through stronger collaboration between universities, governments, and farmers; engaging youth in agriculture by making farming more technologically advanced and financially rewarding.