People’s Daily Overseas Edition | BGI Group Actively Engages in China–Africa Biotechnology Cooperation—Contributing to the Improvement of Health and Well-being of the African People

Editor’s Note

At the recently held 2nd China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), People’s Daily Overseas Edition reported on the remarkable achievements of BGI Group in China–Africa biotechnology cooperation. In the field of agricultural science and technology, China’s perennial rice has played an important role in promoting food security in Africa and advancing agricultural modernization.

The following content is sourced from People’s Daily Overseas Edition.

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At the 2nd China International Supply Chain Expo, BGI Group showcased its cutting-edge technologies and innovative applications across the entire life-science industry chain, attracting significant attention from African participants. Over the years, BGI Group has actively engaged in China–Africa cooperation in public health and agriculture by leveraging advanced biotechnology, bringing technologies, methods, products, and training programs to multiple African countries. These efforts have contributed to the rapid development of Africa’s science and technology sectors and have further deepened cooperation between China and Africa in agriculture, public health, and other areas under frameworks such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation. Scientific and technological cooperation has become an important pathway for China and Africa to jointly pursue the dream of modernization.

Fruitful Results in Agricultural Science and Technology Cooperation

Located just south of the equator in east-central Africa, Burundi is rich in light and heat resources. At the perennial rice demonstration planting base, vast stretches of “Chinese varieties” of rice are thriving on the fertile African land.

In January this year, the first batch of perennial rice seedlings successfully cultivated in Burundi completed their first round of transplanting at the demonstration base, marking another milestone in the trial planting of perennial rice jointly carried out by BGI Agri and the Government of Burundi. In May, the first harvest was successfully completed. Trial results showed that yields reached 3.1 tons per hectare—more than double the local average yield.

Developed by Chinese research teams, perennial rice varieties make it possible to plant once and harvest continuously for multiple years. Compared with annual rice, perennial rice can reduce production costs by more than 30% and simplify production processes. Previously, with approval from the Fifth Special Technical Committee on Agriculture of the African Union, China’s perennial rice was incorporated into the AU’s agricultural technology promotion framework and included in the AU Seed and Biotechnology Programme 2024–2025. Currently, perennial rice is the world’s only commercially viable perennial grain crop and has been selected for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ “International Agricultural Technology Innovation” program.

Prudent Natar Maheromeza, the official in charge of the national project in Burundi, noted that perennial rice technology not only simplifies rice production and reduces costs, but also significantly increases yields. He expressed hope that the planting area of perennial rice in Burundi can be further expanded in the future, enhancing local agricultural productivity and bringing greater income to farmers.

At present, perennial rice projects have also been implemented in countries including Uganda, Mozambique, Madagascar, and Malawi. Data show that by the end of 2023, China had established 24 agricultural technology demonstration centers in Africa, driving average crop yield increases of 30% to 60% in surrounding areas and helping African countries improve agricultural development. Under frameworks such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation, China and Africa continue to deepen agricultural science and technology cooperation, providing strong support for Africa’s agricultural modernization and improved food security.

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https://mk.haiwainet.cn/n/2024/184/013EN2024120430032875.html?id=E_N_20241204_30032875&contentType=CT001&code=09148gHa1bPrBI0XSFFa1YAdCh148gHp&state=STATE#/