Chinese farming experts opens training program in Benin

SEME-KPODJI, Benin — Chinese farming experts have started here a 10-day training program for Benin's gardeners, farmers, poultry producers and technical supervision officials.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce, the pilot center for Chinese farming techniques in Benin and Benin's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fishery are joint organizers of the training program.

Wang Rui, representing the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, said on Wednesday that the training will enable participants to capture all the aspects of Chinese system to popularize farming techniques, especially maize production management, vegetable cultivation and laying hens breeding management.

She expressed belief that the rain-fed agriculture in Benin needs irrigation techniques as it cannot face up climatic variations.

The shared Chinese farming techniques "will enable farmers in Benin to increase revenue and enhance agricultural productivity," Wang said.

Leopold Biaou, chief operational and entrepreneurial training services from Benin's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fishery, hailed Chinese farming technologies.

"Chinese agricultural technologies have been experimented with maize and vegetable cultivation so far in Benin and enabled the increase of maize productivity from one to over 5 tonnes per hectare," he said.