Chongqing - China (Chongqing) - Belgium Agricultural Cooperation Forum was held in Chongqing recently. Participants from both sides reviewed the successful potato project cooperation and achievements between the two regions and had thorough exchanges on expanding and deepening agricultural cooperation in the next step.

Since 1999, Chongqing's Wuxi County has cooperated with Belgium on potato cultivation, seed quality control and storage, late blight early warning, and prevention technologies. The two sides have worked together for over 20 years, helping local potato farmers in Wuxi County avoid significant economic losses. Wuxi County has become the largest virus-free potato production base in Southwest China and the largest high-quality commodity potato production base in Chongqing.

At the exchange forum, Wuxi County presented a well-produced documentary short film to the attendees, narrating the history and achievements of its potato project cooperation with Belgium.

(Video/Wuxi County)

On behalf of the people of Wuxi County, Executive Deputy Mayor of Wuxi County Li Zhonghua expressed sincere gratitude to Belgium for their wholehearted support in developing the Wuxi potato industry over the years. He also presented a specialty potato product produced in Wuxi County to Jan Hoogmartens, Belgian Ambassador to China, to commemorate the profound friendship between the two sides brought about by the project.

The ambassador congratulated Belgium and Wuxi County on their successful cooperation in the potato planting field for over 20 years. He also said that the project had brought agricultural results, such as a potato yield increase, promoted personnel exchanges, and enhanced mutual understanding. He hoped for more opportunities for similar exchanges and cooperation in the future, bridging the communication gap between the two countries.

At the exchange forum, experts and technicians from Chongqing and Belgium who participated in the project shared their experiences and insights.

Professor Francois Serneels, an expert in agriculture and agricultural engineering from the Province of Hainaut in Belgium, made a video speech reviewing his involvement in promoting project cooperation over the past 20 years. He also introduced the gratifying progress of young generation technicians in continuing the tradition of friendly cooperation between the two sides. 

Wang Zele, the head of the pest and disease detection and reporting department of the Chongqing Seed Station, represented Chongqing's professional and technical personnel, sharing his experiences and gains from participating in the project's technical cooperation and training in Belgium.

In addition, the two sides introduced relevant information on food safety, animal and plant health quarantine, and animal disease prevention and control and proposed strengthening cooperation.