Sichuan: Cultivating an Open High Ground in Agriculture in China's Western Inland Region

On June 15, 2023, the inaugural road-rail intermodal freight train of the China-Myanmar New Channel (CMNC) departed from Mandalay, Myanmar, bound for Chengdu. This historic journey via the Houqiao Port in Tengchong, Yunnan, marked the inception of a vital connection between Myanmar and Southeast Asia through the CMNC.

The CMNC represents merely a glimpse of Sichuan's proactive approach since the inception of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Over the years, Sichuan has diligently expanded its transportation network, unveiling over 100 international routes and opening more than 3,000 international trains. The roles of China-Europe freight trains, Railwayalong the Yangtze River, Yangtze River shipping, and new airports have been pivotal in establishing a broad network for extending routes to Europe and beyond. Situated at the crossroads of the historical Southern Silk Road, Sichuan's rich heritage has been revitalized, positioning it as a burgeoning hub in the western inland region.

The new opening pattern has brought new opportunities and challenges for Sichuan's agricultural opening-up cooperation. After a decade of preparation, as an agricultural powerhouse, Sichuan has proactively embraced the changing dynamics by strategizing and implementing measures to foster agricultural "going out"and "bringing in",deepened agricultural exchanges and cooperation. The momentum towards agricultural openness continues to gain traction, underscoring its significance in Sichuan's broader vision of becoming a leading agricultural province.

Enhancing Sichuan's agricultural exports through market-driven competition awareness

Despite its prominence in scale and quality in sectors such as tea, fruits, and vegetables, Sichuan's agricultural exports have not consistently reflected its stature as a major agricultural province. "This disparity reveals our weakness, but also represents a potential,"an official from the Sichuan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said. According to him, with the continuous release of policy dividends brought by the BRI, Sichuan has focused on addressing its weaknesses and bridging gaps. In terms of optimizing work mechanisms, it has established a collaborative mechanism for opening up and cooperation in agriculture through joint meetings involving key stakeholders such as the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Development and Reform Commission, the Science and Technology Department, the Department of Commerce, the Provincial CCPIT, and Chengdu Customs. In 2020, the Sichuan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Department of Commerce, and Chengdu Customs jointly signed the "Memorandum of Cooperation on Promoting Sichuan Agricultural Product Export,"propelling Sichuan's agricultural export into the fast lane.

Agricultural trade fundamentally revolves around the production and sale of products. While the essence of international agricultural trade remains consistent, its foundation lies in establishing production bases and accessing markets. Nonetheless, bridging the gap between international standards and regulations, alongside the considerable costs associated with expanding into international markets for individual enterprises, poses a significant challenge. To tackle this challenge, the Sichuan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has taken proactive measures. It has diligently established high-quality national and provincial agricultural trade development bases in alignment with the directives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Additionally, in collaboration with Chengdu Customs, efforts have been made to advance the construction of Sichuan's agricultural export bases. Moreover, in partnership with the Department of Commerce, active participation in the "Ten Thousand Enterprises Going Global" initiative has been undertaken. This initiative involves organizing agricultural enterprises to participate in renowned overseas agricultural exhibitions such as World FoodMoscow, Alimentaria Lisboa, Seoul Food & Hotel, Anuga, and the Hong Kong International Tea Fair. These events serve as platforms for promoting agricultural products and conducting business talks, while innovative methods are employed to expand overseas markets through multiple channels. During the "13thFive-Year Plan"period alone, a total of 700 agricultural enterprises were organized and about 1,000 people participated in the exhibitions, resulting in cumulative agreements worth 5.7 billion yuan.

According to statistics, during the "13thFive-Year Plan"period, Sichuan exported over 100 types of agricultural products across 50 categories, with total exports reaching 2.755 billion USD. In 2019, the total agricultural import and export volume in Sichuan amounted to 1.536 billion USD, marking a 42.6% increase compared to 2015, with an average annual growth rate of 12.5%.

Cooperation brings vitality: collaborative efforts in project implementation

In November 2021, the Qingbaijiang District, near the Chengdu International Railway Port, spearheaded the establishment of the Sichuan Agricultural Products Export Alliance. Its aim was to consolidate upstream and downstream resources along the industry chain, facilitate regular specialized training, and foster experience-sharing sessions, ultimately empowering Sichuan's agricultural products for international competition. Its wealth of valuable information led to it being dubbed the "Intensive Training Camp"for Sichuan's agricultural products venturing into the global market.

"Over the past decade, agricultural entities in Sichuan have evolved from a phase of ignorance about overseas markets to a mature stage of collaborative international expansion,"said Luo Bing, General Manager of MyFarm Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. in Sichuan. Although relatively new to agricultural international trade,hehas displayed keen market insight, resulting in consistent year-on-year growth in the company's export volume.

The vibrancy of the market relies significantly on the dynamism of its leading participants. Sichuan has recognized the pivotal role of leading enterprises. It has thus guided advantageous companies to invest actively overseas and establish competitive multinational agricultural enterprises, thereby facilitating the development of agricultural cooperation zones overseas. Sichuan enterprises have transformed from ground zero to establishing agricultural cooperation zones overseas, steadily expanding their footprint. Presently, there are seven zones embodying the essential elements of "collective overseas expansion", "complete industry chain", and "participation in the BRI countries". Notably, the China-UgandaAgricultural Cooperation Industrial Park was among the first national-level overseas demonstration zones in 2017. Additionally, a series of Sino-foreign agricultural cooperation projects, such as the China-France Agricultural Science and Technology Park, the China-Israel Agricultural Science and Technology Park, and the China-Chile Agricultural Science and Technology Demonstration Park, have taken root in various locations in Sichuan, facilitating the adoption of advanced technologies and superior varieties.

To further expand its network in international agricultural cooperation, Sichuan has actively established platforms for international cooperation and exchange. The consistent organization of the Sichuan Agricultural Expo has seen countries along the Belt and Road setting up national pavilions. In 2019, the Belt and Road Forum for Cooperation and Development of Sichuan International Friendship Cities & Forum on Agriculture, Rural Areas and Farmers convened successfully, attracting leaders and experts from the United States, France, Japan, South Korea, and various provinces. This event marked a new chapter in the cooperative development of agriculture in Sichuan.

Friendship catalyzes action: agricultural foreign aid sets a nationwide paradigm

On November 19, 2022, a team of nine agricultural experts from Sichuan embarked on a three-year agricultural technology assistance mission to Uganda. Among them was Long Wenjing, a 32-year-old assistant researcher at the Rice and Sorghum Research Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences. As the harvest season approached, Long Wenjing was busy collecting data in the sorghum fields of his experimental farm, selecting the most suitable varieties for Uganda and preparing for the next breeding phase.

In Burundi, Sichuan Province dispatched agricultural expert Yang Huade to lead a team of experts actively conducting experimental trials, demonstrations, and promotions on drought-tolerant rice seedling cultivation. This projectled to increased income for farmers in the demonstration area. The yield per acre of the Y-liang-you hybrid rice variety broke the African record, generating nationwide attention in Burundi. The Chuan Xiang 506 hybrid rice variety became the first Chinese hybrid rice variety approved in Africa, addressing long-standing issues such as rice blast disease and crop failures. Additionally, it facilitated the adoption of hybrid rice planting technology among numerous demonstration households. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to agricultural development in Burundi, Yang Huade, the team leader, was awarded the Outstanding Contribution Award for Rice Science and Technology by the Ministry of the Environment, Agriculture and Livestock in 2019. Furthermore, Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye presented in person a Certificate of Honor to Yang Huade in 2022, making him the first foreign expert in Burundi's history to receive the country's highest award. This recognition underscores the Burundian government's appreciation for China's agricultural foreign aid efforts.

Furthermore, Sichuan agricultural experts have made significant contributions in countries such as Sudan, Sao Tome and Principe, Mozambique, and Ethiopia, introducing practical and useful agricultural integrated technologies and showcasing the latest achievements of modern agriculture. Sichuan's efforts have played a crucial role in global poverty alleviation and hunger eradication, highlighting China's role as a major contributor. Praised by both the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Sichuan has been recognized as a model of sustainable development in "South-South cooperation"through its provincial responsibility for implementing such projects.

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