In August 2025, the State Council issued the Opinions on Deeply Implementing the “AI Plus” Initiative, outlining six key actions, including bolstering global cooperation on AI. The Opinions call for supporting the Global South in building AI capacity, enabling fair participation in AI development, and bridging the global AI divide. The Foreign Economic Cooperation Center (FECC) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has responded by launching capacity-building projects in relevant areas. Through these projects, the FECC has shared China’s experience in the application and development of AI in agriculture.  

Among these projects, the FECC held the Seminar on the Application and Development of AI in Agriculture for the Global South in Beijing on October 15. The program is part of China’s broader efforts to integrate AI into agriculture and promote smart farming and digital development in rural areas. Its curriculum covers practical applications of AI in areas such as agricultural production and management, as well as related technologies and equipment. The program includes study sessions in both Beijing and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Zhang Qian, Chief Project Evaluator at the FECC, said China has been exploring how AI can support agricultural and rural development in ways suited to its own circumstances, generating encouraging results. China stands ready to share its experience with the countries of the Global South, in the hope that they will find it helpful.  

Vassilev, a participant from Bulgaria, said China has continued to make progress in automation, robotics, data analytics, and AI, accumulating rich experience that offers valuable reference for others. He added that international cooperation creates opportunities to exchange knowledge and hands-on experience, raise questions, and share new ideas, helping countries learn from one another and make progress together.   

“Our goal is not simply to introduce more technologies into agriculture, but to put AI and other technologies to work in ways that deliver more benefits,” he said. Other participants echoed his view. They agreed that each country should build on its own agricultural strengths, deepen exchange through this program, and explore AI solutions tailored to its specific agricultural development needs, thus jointly advancing sustainable agricultural development worldwide.  

This year, the FECC has run five capacity-building programs on AI in agriculture, involving around 135 participant-times from 18 Global South countries. Through these programs, the center aims to share China’s experience in agricultural development and foster agricultural cooperation among Global South countries.