15 January 2014: China and Brazil in African Agriculture – news roundup

Chinese agricultural delegation visits Zimbabwe

A 15-person Chinese delegation visited Zimbabwe for a feasibility study on areas of agricultural cooperation. The delegation includes experts in grain crops, environment, agriculture produce processing and livestock among others from the Ministry of Agriculture in China and the private sector. This is said to include machinery and equipment that relates to mechanisation and irrigation development.
(AllAfrica)

Chery Heavy Industry Stepped into African Market of Agricultural Machinery

At the 2013 China Commodities, Technology and Service Expo in Ethiopia, Chery H.I. signed a trading contract worth $16.37 million with dealers from African countries. A regional operation centre is also said to have been built on the continent. This company is one of China’s most successful, but appeared in the news mid-2013 for having complaints from Chinese farmers over defective machinery.
(Anhui News)

FARA describes its role in Africa-Britain-China project

The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) discusses its participation in the Africa-Britain-China (ABC) project being driven by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID). FARA was on the steering committee to decide on proposals made to the Agricultural Technology Transfer (AgriTT) project that forms part of the ABC programme.
(FARA)

China-Africa Development Fund to raise $2bn in 2014

The China-Africa Development Fund is set to raise $2bn in 2014 that is said to be targeted at African steel and agriculture sectors. Agricultural projects already benefiting from the fund include a grain processing plant in Mozambique, a sisal project in Tanzania, cotton planting in Malawi, and grain planting and poultry projects in Zambia. The fund will also work with Shanxi Tianli Enterprise Group Corp to finance a $60 million cotton planting project in Madagascar next year.
(ecns.cn)

Nigerian President calls for more Chinese investment in agriculture

In a speech for the outgoing Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan called for more Chinese investment into its agricultural sector.
(WorldStage News)

Chatham House Africa Programme 2014

The UK-based Royal Institute of International Affairs has released its Africa programme for 2014. This includes looking forward to a series of publications on emerging powers’ engagements in Africa.
(Chatham House e-newsletter)

This news roundup has been collected on behalf of the China and Brazil in African Agriculture (CBAA) project.

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