China is promising to provide more support to Zimbabwe to develop its agricultural industry and help it to restore its "Breadbasket of Africa" status.

Chinese Economic and Commercial Councilor in Zimbabwe Chen Ning addresses an event to welcome the latest batch of senior agricultural experts from China to Zimbabwe on Wednesday, December 5, 2018. [Photo: China Plus/Gao Junya]

In an event to welcome the latest batch of senior agricultural experts from China, Chinese Economic and Commercial Councilor in Zimbabwe Chen Ning said agricultural cooperation has always been one of the key areas in bilateral cooperation.

"The Chinese government has been putting much emphasis on the cooperation between China and Zimbabwe, especially in the areas of agricultural development. Agricultural cooperation was one of the key areas Chinese President Xi Jinping and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa talked about during the latter's two visits to China this year."

Chen Ning pointed out that agricultural development is also a significant part of the 8 major initiatives proposed at this year's Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which will bring tangible benefits to Zimbabwe.

Over the years, China has been providing food assistance, agricultural equipment and fertilizers to Zimbabwe. The Chinese government is also offering short-term training programs as well as bachelor and master degrees in agriculture for Zimbabweans. The two sides are also planning to build agricultural parks in Zimbabwe.

Councilor Chen suggested China will speed up those efforts to boost the development of agriculture in Zimbabwe and help it to get back on track to regain its Breadbasket status.

Ringson Chitsiko, Permanent Secretary for Zimbabwe's Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, and Rural Resettlement addresses an event to welcome the latest batch of senior agricultural experts from China to Zimbabwe on Wednesday, December 5, 2018. [Photo: China Plus/Gao Junya]

Ringson Chitsiko is the Permanent Secretary for Zimbabwe's Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, and Rural Resettlement.

He said China has a lot to offer to Zimbabwe when it comes to development.

"Learning from China can never be compared with learning from anybody, particularly when we talk about poverty eradication, when we talk about agricultural development. We are learning from people that have been exactly in our position not more than 30 to 40 years ago. They know the path to economic development and prosperity. They know it from the correct experience."

Chitsiko said he wants his country to take the opportunity, learn skills based on China's training and contribute to Zimbabwe's development.

"We are very lucky. We're not going to be reading about how they did it. But they are going to not only tell us, but also show us practically how it is done. So I urge the Zimbabwean team to open their ears, to open their eyes, to open their minds and to open their hearts, ready to receive guidance from our Chinese experts. The experts are here, they expect you to tell them your shortcomings, to tell them your areas of need, to tell them, even amongst the different training strategies, the strategy that is best for you."

A welcome reception is held for the latest batch of senior agricultural experts from China to Zimbabwe on Wednesday, December 5, 2018. [Photo: China Plus/Gao Junya]

There are 10 members included in this latest batch of senior agricultural experts from China.

In their three-year stay in Zimbabwe, they are going to provide assistance mainly in the area of agronomy, husbandry, aquaculture and agricultural machinery.