On 5 November, the Information-Sharing Meeting for the Project of Digital Transformation and Sustainable Development of Agrifood Systems in China (the Project) was held in Beijing. This project is jointly initiated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Shanghai XunMeng Info Tech Co., Ltd (Pinduoduo), and the China Agricultural Science and Education Foundation (CASEF).

The Project released a report titled Precision Farming Technology and Best Practices in China. It comprehensively reviews the precision agriculture technology system and conducts in-depth research on precision agriculture technologies in fields such as field crop farming, facility cultivation, livestock management, and aquaculture. It also analyzes several practice cases of precision agriculture in China, examining the role and pathways of precision agriculture in enabling the sustainable transformation of agrifood systems. The writing of the report was led by a team of experts from China Agricultural University (CAU). Associate Professor Chai Li of CAU introduced the report at the event.

In her opening speech, Han Yan, Assistant Representative of the FAO Representation in China, stated that the Report provides a great reference for the development of precision agriculture in China and offers Chinese experiences for the sustainable development and digital transformation of global agriculture. She emphasized, "FAO will continue to collaborate with multiple partners to promote efficient and sustainable agrifood systems through the summary and promotion of innovative practices, supporting the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and FAO's Four Betters."

Zeng Hao, Senior Director of Public Affairs at Pinduoduo, stated that as an e-commerce platform deeply rooted in agriculture, Pinduoduo continuously adheres to its long-term strategy of focusing on agriculture, consistently applying artificial intelligence, big data and other digital technologies to agricultural supply chain. "In the future, we will continue to strengthen cooperation with domestic and international agricultural institutions. Through key projects such as PDD Smart Agricultural Competition and the Project, we aim to contribute more to the development of precision agriculture and rural revitalization in China," he remarked.

Guo Xiaoping, Director of the Fund Management Department of CASEF, stated that the Project is the second collaboration between CASEF and FAO. "We will continue to leverage CASEF’s role as a platform for social welfare and charity to mobilize more social forces and resources to support agricultural science and education, contributing to comprehensive rural revitalization, and providing strong support for building up strength in agriculture for the nation."

In the keynote speech session, Professor Li Daoliang, Dean of the International College of CAU, delivered a speech titled Current Situation and Future Outlook of China's Digital Agriculture. He pointed out that achieving digital agriculture must realize the digitization of all elements of agricultural production, including the digitization of the production environment, cultivation objects, equipment, microbial population, and energy, transitioning agriculture from experience-based to science-based.

In the case study sharing session, Yang Yue, Public Affairs Expert at Pinduoduo, shared Pinduoduo's experiences in supporting agriculture from three perspectives in light of Rural E-commerce Supports Precision Agriculture Exploring; empowering precision agriculture with digitalization; fostering talent through competition-driven research; and the agricultural assistance work practices of Pinduoduo.

During the panel discussion session, Li Zhong, International Cooperation Project Manager at the Center for International Agricultural Research of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Professor Zeng Yelu, Deputy Director of the International Affairs Unit of CAU; Ahmatjan Rouzi, Agricultural Sustainable Development Advisor at the Sino-German Agricultural Center; Feng Yuefeng, Public Affairs Manager of Yili Group; and Chen Yuchong, Technical Manager at Beijing Hortipoloar, exchanged their experiences and lessons in precision agriculture from their respective perspectives.

In 2022, Pinduoduo donated USD 1 million to the CASEF for the FAO's Digital Transformation and Sustainable Development of Agrifood Systems in China" project. Launched in 2023, the project plans to focus on four areas over a three-year period: digital rural areas, precision agriculture, sustainable agriculture, and healthy diets. Through thematic research, analysis seminars, report writing, training sessions, and promotional activities, the project seeks to summarize innovative practices and excellent approaches in China's agrifood systems transformation and rural revitalization. It aims to provide valuable references and insights for the development of China's rural areas and share China's successful experiences with developing countries through the FAO platform. In this June, the Project published the report of Digital Practice in Agriculture and Rural Development in China.