On September 2nd, 2018, Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed visited the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) with his delegation. Dr. Tang Huajun, President of the CAAS, received the delegation and accompanied them to the National Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Park. Dr. Wu Kongming, Vice President of CAAS, attended the meeting. 

In the National Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Park, Mr. Mohamed was introduced technologies in the designing and developing urban agriculture, plant factories, vertical agriculture, community agriculture as well as the application of advanced technologies in the soilless cultivation, artificial light sources, the Internet of Things, greenhouse pest control and pollination.

Dr. Wu Kongming briefed Mr. Mohamed about the basic information and research achievements of the CAAS, the status quo, future focuses and mechanism of cooperation with Somalia in agricultural science and technology. Dr. Wu Kongming said, China and Somalia are both developing countries. CAAS, as China’s national team in agricultural research, owns research institutions and research teams in rice, plant protection, animal husbandry and sustainable development and has accumulated rich experience. CAAS is willing to share the technologies and experience with Somali institutions of scientific research and strengthen the cooperation with such institutions in scientists’ exchange, personnel training and project cooperation.

Mr. Mohamed extended his gratitude to the CAAS for the warm reception. He said that the friendship between Somalia and China has a long history, and his meeting with President Xi Jinping has turned a new chapter for the bilateral relations between the two countries. Somalia thanks China for consistent provision of various support and assistance and is willing to actively participate in the “Belt and Road” Initiative. Somalia hopes to further strengthen the cooperation between the two countries in agricultural science and technology and apply modern agricultural technologies to the production of crops such as corn and wheat to achieve better development. 

Main heads of the General Office, the Department of International Cooperation, the Logistics Service Center and the Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture of the academy attended the reception.