Resilient Agrifood System Takes Center Stage at World Agrifood Innovation Conference

Leading experts and innovators from over 90 countries and regions gathered in Beijing for the 2025 World Agrifood Innovation Conference (WAFI 2025), discussing critical themes such as climate resilience, sustainable growth, and innovative technologies. The conference emphasized the urgent need for a secure and stable agrifood system in the face of intensifying climate change, geopolitical instability, and growing populations. China, which feeds nearly 20% of the world's population with limited resources, is driving agricultural innovation through scientific and technological advancements. The conference showcased various initiatives, including the upgraded Phase 2.0 development plan for Beijing's "Agricultural Zhongguancun" Core Zone and China Agricultural University's Shennong Large Model 3.0.

Key Takeaways:

• The global agrifood system is facing mounting pressures from climate change, geopolitical instability, and population growth, making it essential to build a resilient and stable system.
• China feeds nearly 20% of the world's population with only about 9% of the world's arable land and 6% of its freshwater resources, making sustainable agricultural innovation crucial.
• Scientific and technological innovation has become a critical driver of agricultural advancement in China, with various approaches such as industry-academia-research collaboration, advanced breeding technologies, and smart cultivation being leveraged.
• The 2025 World Agrifood Innovation Conference highlighted the importance of South-South cooperation, protected agriculture, controlled-environment agriculture, and smart livestock farming in addressing global agrifood challenges.
• China Agricultural University's Party Secretary, Zhong Denghua, emphasized the key role of innovation in science and technology in implementing the holistic food concept and building a resilient agrifood system.
• The conference featured the unveiling of several landmark initiatives, including the upgraded Phase 2.0 development plan and China Agricultural University's Shennong Large Model 3.0, aimed at promoting scientific and technological innovation in agriculture.
• Pinggu District has attracted major agrifood enterprises, established "Doctor Farms," drawn in agricultural experts, and facilitated the application of scientific and technological achievements.

Statistics:

• China feeds nearly 20% of the world's population with only about 9% of the world's arable land and 6% of its freshwater resources.
• The conference gathered nearly 800 scientists, entrepreneurs, and experts from over 90 countries and regions.
• Pinggu District has attracted major agrifood enterprises, including Beijing Capital Agribusiness & Foods Group, Bayer, and Molbreeding.
• There are 117 "Doctor Farms" established in Pinggu District.
• Pinggu has drawn in 411 agricultural experts.

Sources:

• 2025 World Agrifood Innovation Conference
• COMTEX_469563455/2010/2025-10-16T09:59:31