LUSAKA, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The China-aid overseas training course on agricultural mechanization for Zambia opened in Lusaka, the country's capital, on Monday.
The program, running through Oct. 18, has brought together 40 officials and technicians from Zambia's Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and Ministry of Agriculture. It is organized by Camco College, a subsidiary of the Chinese firm Camco Group, and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Mechanization Sciences (CAAMS).
The training covers key areas including modern agricultural machinery, high-efficiency irrigation, conservation tillage, new energy applications, and post-harvest technologies.
Jin Jun, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Zambia, said the course is a concrete step to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state and the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Highlighting China's shift toward smart, modernized agriculture, Jin said China is keen to share its experience and meet local needs. He noted that China highly values human resource development in Africa, with nearly 400 Zambians participating in various training programs in 2025.
Max Choombe, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, expressed gratitude to the Chinese embassy for supporting training programs for Zambians, saying the initiative will help consolidate bilateral relations as Zambia seeks to draw on China's experience in transforming its agricultural sector.
Choombe urged participants to apply the knowledge and skills gained from the course to boost productivity and advance Zambia's national agricultural development goals.
Wang Yubo, project manager at the CAAMS international cooperation center, said the course serves as a practical initiative to implement FOCAC outcomes and deepen China-Zambia agricultural cooperation.
Tailored to Zambia's local conditions and technical challenges, the program aims to strengthen mechanization capacity, foster talent, and enhance mutual understanding while CAAMS continues to support bilateral agricultural exchanges, Wang added.
Li Tie, chairman of Camco Group, noted that while agriculture is central to Zambia's economy, food security, and rural development, unlocking its full potential requires appropriate technologies, modern machinery, and skilled personnel.
Drawing on years of experience supplying equipment to Zambia, Li said providing machinery alone is insufficient; hence the course combines technical instruction, practical training, and international exchanges covering conservation tillage, post-harvest technologies, and renewable energy.
