Chinese Government provides RMB 30 million grant for China-South Africa Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center Construction Project (Linked to Record ID#73262)

Project narrative

In February 2007, an agreement was signed between the Chinese Government and the Government of South Africa for the China-South Africa Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center Construction Project. This agreement was one of eight measures proposed at the 2006 China-Africa Cooperation Forum Beijing Summit on Africa, and is one of 14 agricultural demonstration centers pledged by Chinese President Hu Jintao during a Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) meeting. China’s Ministry of Commerce reportedly committed an RMB 30 million grant for this project. The purpose of this project was to construct an agricultural demonstration center at the Gariep Dam in Free State Province that would focus on aquaculture. The project site that was selected was previously known as the Nature Conservation Gariep Dam Hatchery. The 3000 square foot facility that was built includes a training center building, laboratory, fish breeding center, fodder plants and other projects. Upon completion of the center, the Chinese Government agreed to train 500 South African aquaculture technicians per year (via 10 training courses for 50 technicians each). Jiangsu Province Construction and Engineering Group Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the state-owned China Agriculture Development Corporation Group, was the contractor responsible for implementation. A groundbreaking ceremony for the project was held on October 27, 2009. Construction was completed in 2011, and in 2013 a letter exchange between the South African and Chinese governments noted the completion of preparatory work for the project. This project is linked to Record ID#73262, Phase 2 of this project that provides technical cooperation.