China Expands Wheat Cooperation with Africa and South Asia to Tackle Food Security Challenges

At a recent forum in Sanya, Hainan province, China articulated its commitment to deepening partnerships with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) to bolster crop breeding and production efforts in Africa and South Asia. This China-CIMMYT conference focused on the critical need for collaborative initiatives in wheat science and technology, with experts emphasizing training and knowledge exchange between China, CIMMYT, and various nations in the Global South.

Wheat plays a vital role in global food security, yet climate change has posed significant threats to wheat cultivation, particularly in low-latitude regions such as South Asia and Africa. Hans Braun from CIMMYT's Global Wheat Program noted that although they have been successful in enhancing wheat production in countries like Pakistan and various African nations over the last five decades, there is an urgent demand for improved resistance against diseases and environmental stresses through enhanced breeding programs.

Recent advancements include the joint development of two high-yield wheat varieties by Chinese and Pakistani scientists, which are on the brink of receiving commercial approval in Pakistan. These new strains show strong resistance to yellow rust, a prevalent crop disease in Pakistan, and promise to substantially uplift local wheat yields.

Awais Rasheed, associated with the China-Pakistan Joint Wheat Molecular Breeding International Lab, expressed that South-South collaboration, particularly between Chinese institutions and other developing nations, could significantly accelerate the adoption of molecular breeding techniques for creating superior wheat cultivars. Furthermore, He Zhonghu from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences underscored that through this collaboration, China intends to harness its resources in technology and agricultural expertise to strengthen South-South partnerships.

The discussions also included plans for increased cooperation on disease and pest management strategies, specifically the monitoring and prevention of fusarium head blight through the dissemination of technology and practices for cultivating fusarium-resistant wheat. This collective effort is anticipated to enhance wheat production across the regions involved. Jia Yan from the World Food Program China emphasized the collaborative potential of involvement from international organizations like CIMMYT and the World Food Program in driving these initiatives.

In addition, there will be a series of short-term training programs and seminars designed to be conducted both within China and in other regions, engaging provincial agricultural academies and relevant universities in this capacity-building endeavor.