The 25th China Agricultural Products Processing Industry Investment and Trade Fair was held in Zhumadian, Henan Province, on Sept. 6. It was hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) and the People’s Government of Henan Province and was themed “Vigorously promoting local specialties and driving the high-quality development of the agro-products processing industry.” The fair was divided into three major sections: exhibition and trade, innovative promotion, and investment negotiation. It also served as a supply and innovation platform for the agricultural processing industry. Li Jinghui, member of the CPC Leading Group of MARA, attended the fair and delivered a speech. Li Zhuo, Vice Governor of Henan Province, and Daouda Bitie, Chargé d’Affaires of the Burkina Faso Embassy in China also delivered speeches.    

Li Jinghui pointed out that in recent years, MARA has actively extended the functions of agriculture, explored the diverse values of rural areas, and promoted the integrated development of primary, secondary and tertiary industries. Nationwide, a total of 180 distinctive and advantaged industry clusters have been established along with 300 modern agricultural industrial parks and 1,509 towns with strong agro-industries. In addition, 1,952 enterprises have been recognized as National Key Leading Enterprises. As of 2022, 90,000 companies processing agro-products had production levels above designated national standards for their industries, generating a total annual operating revenue of more than RMB 19 trillion. The agro-products processing industry has thus become an important pillar of rural industrial development.   

Li Jinghui emphasized that all localities should focus on developing key industries and distinctive industries in rural areas by means of strengthening leading companies, improving industrial chains, fostering different types of businesses, and establishing brands. They should upgrade the agro-products processing industry and distinctive rural industries in all respects, foster business entities in all agricultural fields, use all factors to facilitate the deep integration of industries, and create an agro-industry chain in an all-around way. He suggested taking a multi-pronged approach to propel the high-quality development of rural industries led by the agro-products processing enterprises.  

During the fair, activities such as the promotion of the latest achievements in processing technology and equipment, promotion of agricultural partnerships, and matchmaking between production and sales in poverty-stricken areas were held. More than 4,000 enterprises from 31 provinces (including autonomous regions and municipalities) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps participated in the fair. It attracted more than 30,000 merchants and professional visitors. The fair also featured 255 pieces of technology and equipment as well as 62 scientific research achievements that had been commercialized. The total value of contracts signed at the fair exceeded RMB 110 billion.