China-Benin cotton technical cooperation promotes Benin’s agricultural modernization

The 2022 China-Benin cotton agricultural machinery technical training course was held recently in Parakou, Benin.

The training was jointly organized by the Chinese cotton technical assistance team and Benin's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, as well as its cotton research institute, cotton association and agricultural mechanization agency.

The opening ceremony of the China-Benin cotton agricultural machinery technical training course

A total of 35 trainees received training on tractor driving and maintenance, mechanized planting and other farming skills through a combination of theory and practice. The training was expected to help Benin improve its agricultural mechanization level.

At the course's opening ceremony, the technical advisor of Benin's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries expressed gratitude to China for organizing this training in cooperation with Benin, and encouraged the trainees to cherish the opportunity to master the techniques.

Chinese experts demonstrate farming machine driving.

The representative of Benin's cotton research institute affirmed the great results achieved in the cooperation between China and Benin in the field of cotton production, hoping that Benin can produce 1 million tons of cotton by 2023 with the full cooperation of the two countries.

Shou Xiaoyong, head of the Chinese cotton technical assistance team, thanked relevant institutions in Benin for the support for the training course and said he expects that the training can achieve the effect of spreading technology, reducing labor intensity, improving productivity and increasing the income of cotton farmers.

The third phase of the assistance project involves a team of seven Chinese experts in agriculture and agricultural machinery. They will explore a set of technical norms for sowing, growing and storing cotton that is suitable for Benin's production conditions, and localize and transform agricultural machinery to benefit Benin's cotton farmers.

The trainees practice operating farming machines.

China's cotton technical assistance project in Benin has been implemented since 2013. The project has involved training in the selection and breeding of cotton seeds, planting technology demonstrations, and agricultural machinery, which has helped improve the quality of Benin's cotton production and local farmers' livelihoods.

Benin's cotton output of last season was as high as 800,000 tons, ranking among the highest in Africa for three consecutive years.