China-Africa Cooperation Urged to Boost Livestock Sector

Officials and experts on Friday called for deeper China-Africa cooperation to unlock Africa’s vast animal resources potential, emphasizing science and technology as key drivers for transforming the livestock sector, Xinhua reported.

The call was made at the Forum on Science and Technology for African Animal Resources Management, held at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 

The event was jointly organized by the Mission of China to the AU and the AU’s Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources.

Moses Vilakati, AU commissioner for agriculture, rural development, blue economy and sustainable environment, said livestock agriculture is crucial for Africa’s rural populations and strategic for food security, nutrition, and trade. 

He warned that failing to transform the sector could slow industry growth, reduce jobs, and lower incomes for pastoralists.

Jiang Feng, head of the Mission of China to the AU, highlighted China’s advances in livestock production efficiency, industrial quality, technological innovation, and value creation. 

He called for enhanced cooperation in government mechanisms, technology exchange, and market-driven enterprise collaboration.

The forum focused on aligning continental priorities with technological innovation, sharing AU goals in animal health, production, and trade, while presenting China’s latest technologies. 

The Chinese delegation showcased solutions for smart animal farming using AI and the Internet of Things, advances in zoonosis prevention and control, and designs for biosafety vaccine factories.