Qingdao: A China-Senegal international training course on the full peanut industry chain was recently held in Qingdao, located in east China's Shandong Province. Launched on July 6, the 15-day program aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of 14 Senegalese participants, including researchers, government officials, and entrepreneurs, by sharing China's expertise in peanut cultivation, water-saving techniques, pest and disease control, and field management.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the training has been well-received by participants. Ibrahima Sarr, director of the Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research (ISRA), expressed his satisfaction, noting that the course has strengthened their confidence in upgrading Senegal's peanut industry. Despite Senegal's status as a major peanut-producing country in West Africa, the nation faces challenges such as low yields and unstable quality due to drought, inefficient farming practices, and pest issues. Progress in peanut processing also remains limited, as highlighted by ISRA specialist Aliou Faye.
Shandong Province plays a pivotal role in China's peanut industry, ranking second nationwide in planting area and leading in processing and export volumes. Song Jinghua, head of the Shandong Peanut Research Institute (SPRI), emphasized the institute's strong research capabilities and its development of several high-quality peanut varieties.
The agricultural cooperation between China and Senegal has a long history, with tangible support provided to local communities in Senegal. Senegalese ambassador to China, Ibrahima Sory Sylla, noted that the partnership between SPRI and ISRA dates back to 1988. The following year, Senegal introduced a high-yield, drought-resistant peanut variety developed by SPRI, which has become one of the major varieties cultivated in the country.
In recent years, visits by Senegalese ministers of agriculture, ambassadors to China, and even presidents to Shandong have emphasized the importance of promoting cooperation in agricultural science and technology. Sarr mentioned that by advancing the transformation and upgrading of the peanut industry chain, Senegal can promote its local peanut industry, spur the growth of e-commerce and other sectors, and thereby create more job opportunities.