News in Brief:
– China’s agricultural partnership with Africa is being strengthened, with benefits for both sides.
– African countries benefit from increased investments, technology transfer, and market access, while China is diversifying its supply chains.
As the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is underway, agricultural cooperation between China and African nations is a key focus of the event. The forum is described as the most comprehensive platform that promotes the relationship between the two economies.
African countries are expected to seek duty-free access to the Chinese market for their agricultural products. Chinese officials have confirmed that agricultural modernisation is also a priority at the high-level meetings.
Already, South Africa is poised to export its first avocados to China, a deal reached during President Xi Jinping’s visit last year. Tanzania, meanwhile, has secured a contract to export honey to the Chinese market. These developments highlight the growing potential for agricultural trade between China and Africa.
China’s strategic interests
Observers believe that China’s increasing interest in African agriculture is driven by a desire to diversify its supply chains and mitigate trade risks associated with geopolitical tensions. By investing in African agriculture, China can secure new markets for its agricultural products and reduce its reliance on traditional suppliers.
The growing agricultural partnership between China and Africa has yielded significant benefits for several African countries.
South Africa has benefited from Chinese investments in agricultural infrastructure, such as irrigation systems and processing facilities. Additionally, the country has gained access to the Chinese market for its agricultural products.
Also, Tanzania has seen substantial benefits from its agricultural partnership with China. Chinese investments in beekeeping and honey processing have helped to boost Tanzania’s honey exports. China has provided technical assistance to Tanzanian farmers, improving their agricultural practices and productivity.
Similarly, Ethiopia has experienced positive outcomes from its agricultural collaboration with China. Chinese investments in hybrid rice technology have led to increased rice yields and improved food security. Ethiopia has also benefited from Chinese support in developing its agricultural value chains.
Nigeria has been involved in agricultural partnerships with China. Chinese companies have invested in large-scale agricultural projects, such as rice cultivation and livestock farming. Ghana has also benefited from Chinese agricultural investments, with Chinese companies establishing farms and processing facilities. Zambia has seen increased agricultural production and exports due to Chinese investments in maize production and processing.
Beyond export-oriented agriculture
However, experts caution that the goal is not solely to transform Africa into a food exporter to China. Rather, it is to help the continent develop its agricultural sector and improve food self-sufficiency.
China-Africa Specialist, Lauren Johnston, tows this line of reasoning. According to her, “Ethiopia may be selling coffee, Tanzania exporting sesame seeds or Kenya and South Africa avocados, and coastal African countries seafood – [yet] it does not appear to be the goal to transform all African countries into food exporters to China.”
