From Nov 9-11, the kick-off meeting for the Jing-Jin-Ji Regional Integrated Environmental Improvement-National Science and Technology Major Project "Technology R&D and application for recycling and coordinated emission reduction of agricultural and rural waste in middle and southern Hebei," led by Prof. Pan Junting of the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IARRP-CAAS), was held in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province. This is the first national major science and technology project on comprehensive environmental management in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region undertaken by CAAS. The project is jointly carried out by eight institutions, including IARRP, Hebei Agricultural University, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hebei Agricultural Science and Technology Development Center, Shenyang Aerospace University, Nankai University and Jing'an Ecology and Technology Group Co., Ltd.

The project employs a comprehensive research framework comprising "basic research—technology development—system construction—model innovation—demonstration and scaling—solution formulation." It aims to address urgent practical needs through scientific and technological innovation, advancing new theories, technologies, products and equipment for agricultural and rural waste recycling and coordinated emission reduction in southern Hebei. By developing systematic solutions for the resource utilization of crop straw, livestock and poultry manure, rural household waste and wastewater, the project is expected to establish new models for green agricultural and rural development, and provide strong support for improving ecological environment quality in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

Representatives from the Environmental Development Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Hebei Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hebei Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment, the CAAS Major Tasks Department, members of the project advisory and expert groups, and all project team members attended the meeting.