Although the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic in Africa has not yet been completely contained, many companies have begun to plan how to restore their local businesses. What makes tiger International Private Limited's general manager Du Rui's mind is to start her farm project near the downtown area of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, as soon as possible.
"Since the outbreak of the epidemic at the beginning of this year, Zimbabwe began to restrict the entry of foreigners at the end of March, which led to the postponement of preliminary research work on our farm. We welcome interested domestic experts in agriculture and animal husbandry as well as people and institutions with rich experience to contact us and work with us to deepen the agricultural market in Africa. " Seeing that the epidemic situation in Africa is gradually slowing down, Du Rui began to invite potential partners.
In the past, in the impression of many Chinese, Africa's deserts are continuous, drought and little rain, and agricultural production conditions are not outstanding, so it is not a good place to invest in agriculture. However, with the establishment of the China Africa Cooperation Forum mechanism, China Africa economic and trade activities have become increasingly frequent, and the vast majority of Chinese people have gradually walked out of the misunderstanding of Africa. Africa has many advantages, such as large area of uncultivated agricultural land, abundant fresh water resources and suitable climate for crop growth. At present, many people have both interest and confidence in China Africa agricultural cooperation.
For example, in 2016, lucky man group invested in Dengying farm in Angola to build cassava economy. At present, 100000 hectares of cassava have been planted. It is planned to spend more than 1.2 billion yuan in six years to complete the total planting area of more than 1.5 million mu, forming an agricultural industrial chain of research and development, production, processing and sales.
"Africa is gifted with agricultural resources. In the words of some African experts, Africa can feed the world." Cai Lihua, Deputy Secretary General of the Business Council of the China Africa Federation of industry and commerce, said that Africa is rich in agricultural resources, but the hungry are the first in the world. Such a phenomenon reflects the backward situation of African agriculture.
Cai Lihua believes that although this is the result of superposition of multiple reasons, the main cause of its backwardness lies in the insufficient investment of funds. This is mainly manifested in the following aspects: first, insufficient investment in agricultural infrastructure, lack of necessary agricultural roads, grain storage facilities, etc.; second, insufficient investment in agricultural science and technology, lack of breeding technology, scientific pest control and other means; third, low level of agricultural mechanization, lack of efficient productivity such as reclamation, sowing and harvesting; fourth, lack of farmland management ability, depending on the weather Fifth, the lack of commercialization of agriculture, the incomplete market system and the industrial chain also objectively lead to the low enthusiasm of farmers to grow grain.
According to World Bank President marpas recently revealed that the epidemic will return 100 million people to poverty and face the plight of starvation. Due to the high proportion of poverty-stricken people in Africa, the proportion of hungry people will increase the most, which arouses the common concern of the international community and hopes that various parties can work together to achieve humanitarian assistance.
During the outbreak, some Sino African agricultural cooperation projects made local people feel safe in their hands. The novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic continues to spread worldwide, resulting in disruption of supply chains in Africa and Mozambique's food security of nearly 30 million people is facing great risks. At the same time, 10000 tons of rice harvested by China in Africa's largest rice cooperative planting project - China Africa Saisai agricultural cooperation project have been collected and stored in an orderly manner, which has ensured the food security of the surrounding markets, enhanced the confidence of the Mozambican people to fight the epidemic, and improved the living standards of the local people.
In addition, the project continues to seek innovation and breakthrough, introducing UAV technology for field management and building modern agriculture. They have extended the industrial chain and implemented diversified agricultural operations to develop the single rice planting, production, processing and sales chain into a whole industrial chain integrating livestock breeding, greenhouse vegetables, liquor brewing, beef processing and other industrial chains.
"In the African continent, agricultural development has unlimited possibilities. How to transfer from traditional agriculture to commercial agriculture is the only way for most African countries to realize the rise of agriculture, and it is also the road of opportunity for investors. It can be said that from breeding, chemical fertilizer, agricultural machinery, irrigation system, storage, transportation, reprocessing and other links, there is room for enterprises to do In Du Rui's view, the transformation from workshop agriculture to commercial agriculture will become the driving force for the sustainable development of the whole African economy only with effective policies and investment.
"This year, affected by the epidemic situation, strengthening China Africa agricultural cooperation is of far-reaching significance. This is not only the primary concern of the high-level of China and Africa, but also the common concern of current international development cooperation. " Cai Lihua suggested that strengthening the Sino African agricultural cooperation needs to establish a system guarantee and top-level design plan to support agricultural going out, and form an integrated system of government guidance, enterprise participation, financial support, preferential tax, insurance and information, and actively coordinate the difficulties and problems that enterprises themselves are awesome to solve, and solve problems for enterprises in a timely manner. In addition, it is also very important to cultivate reserve talents for non economic and trade cooperation.
For the enterprises participating in China Africa agricultural cooperation, Cai Lihua put forward 12 words of suggestions: detailed strategy, solid plan, stable step and excellent team. He said that although there are many business opportunities for agricultural cooperation on the African continent, there are "pits" everywhere. Those who really want to get involved must remember the old saying: "if you don't have diamond, don't do the porcelain work.".