11. SGAW: exchange, innovation, and partnership in Chengdu

From Sep 3-5, 2025, the 11th Sino-German Agricultural Week (SGAW) took place in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, as part of the Agro Expo. It was organized by the Sino-German Agricultural Center (DCZ), which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH) and implemented by IAK Agrar Consulting GmbH (lead partner) in consortium with the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO). The three-day program featured political discussions, expert forums, excursions, and intensive B2B matchmaking.

Under this year's motto “Agricultural and food systems in rural areas: green solutions and business opportunities,” representatives from politics, science, and business exchanged ideas on how Germany and China can deepen their cooperation in the agricultural and food sector – from fair and transparent trade to innovative approaches for greater sustainability and strong rural regions.

We were delighted to welcome a high-ranking BMLEH delegation led by State Secretary Prof. Dr. Dr. Markus Schick. Together with Vice Minister and Chief Veterinarian Tao Huaiying from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture (MARA), Prof. Dr. Dr. Schick opened the SGAW.

The highlights:

• Specialist sessions in which renowned experts shed light on key topics for the future – from agroecology and bioenergy to animal welfare and sustainable resource use.
• Field visits that provided practical insights into the Chinese agricultural and food industry. Visits included farms producing bio-based pesticides, growing kiwis and other fruits, and modern egg production. The program was rounded off with a visit to a distillery.
• B2B matchmaking, bringing German companies in the agricultural sector directly together with Chinese partners from the fields of agricultural technology, animal husbandry, crop production, food processing, and trade.

Our Chinese partners provided outstanding support for the SGAW. The province of Sichuan impressed us with its warm hospitality, while excellent specialist presentations provided valuable insights and inspiration. In addition, our partners took on a significant part of the organization and provided the necessary financial support – a crucial foundation for the smooth and successful running of the event.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to all partners, speakers, and participants who contributed to the success of the SGAW with their commitment, ideas, and expertise. A special thank you goes to our dedicated team, whose commitment and passion made the preparation and successful implementation of the event possible.