Agricultural ministers from member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) have agreed to strengthen collaboration as they seek shared solutions to common challenges such as food security.

　　The 10th SCO Agricultural Ministers' Meeting, held in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, from July 30 to 31, brought together officials and researchers from more than 10 member states, observer states and dialogue partners. Participants held extensive discussions on rural development, poverty reduction and technological exchange.

　　"In the context of food security, I think the SCO agriculture sector is going to play a crucial role," said Sohail Khan, deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. "We have many things in common, and many that are not. We need to sit down and work together on the technologies that are going to be climate resilient."

　　Khan added that the SCO is an important organization for solving many pressing issues at the regional level.

　　The 10th SCO Agricultural Ministers' Meeting is held in Kunming, the capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, from July 30 to 31, 2025. /CGTN

　　Agriculture is a key pillar of the SCO economies, with each country offering its own strengths and facing diverse challenges. Since the launch of the ministerial meeting mechanism 15 years ago, agricultural collaboration has expanded significantly, particularly in talent cultivation, trade and investment.

　　A notable example is the Yangling Agricultural Hi-tech Industry Demonstration Zone in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Since the establishment of an SCO technology exchange and training base there in 2010, Chinese experts have trained more than 50,000 professionals from SCO countries and helped build 14 industry demonstration parks abroad.

　　Han Jun, Chinese minister of agriculture and rural affairs, said at the meeting that China's agricultural trade with SCO member states reached $18.6 billion – a 3.8-fold increase compared to 2010.

　　Han said China is ready to leverage the Yangling base to expand digital agriculture training, promote technology sharing and strengthen talent development.

　　"We will make efforts to promote the voluntary exchange of germplasm resources and to strengthen research, development and adoption of advanced technologies – from water-saving farming and biological breeding to smart agriculture, livestock and aquaculture health, and deep processing of agricultural products," said the minister.

　　Russia's deputy minister of agriculture signs the joint statement adopted at the meeting, July 30, 2025. /CGTN

　　The meeting concluded with the adoption of a joint statement, with participants expressing hope to enhance mutual learning.

　　"Now we are facing climate threats, so climate-resilient agriculture has become a boon for the coming days," Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, joint secretary of India's Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, told CGTN.

　　"India has launched a digital agriculture mission, where we have lots of possibilities and lots of new things we can do. We hope to expand cooperation with all the member nations in the field of research, technology and germplasm," he added.

　　Sohail Khan emphasized transportation and logistics as the top priorities for enhancing collaboration.

　　"Transportation and logistics mean everything. We have to work hard to develop efficient railway and highway systems to facilitate the smooth movement of agricultural goods across the region," said Khan.

　　(CGTN's Zhang Kai contributed to this report.)