China implements phase 4 of technical cooperation for the Pohnpei Pilot Farm in Micronesia (Linked to Umbrella Record ID#64557)

Project narrative

Between 2003 and 2005, a group of six agricultural experts from Nanchong, Sichuan Province implemented phase 4 of technical cooperation for the Pohnpei Pilot Farm project (or Demonstration Farm in Pohnpei or 援密第四期佩州示范农场技术合作项目) in Micronesia. Although AidData did not find any explicit evidence of signed agreements or Chinese financing for this particular phase, it is clear the Chinese government carried out this technical cooperation project spanning over 11 different phases (umbrella Record ID#64557) between 1998 and 2019. As of 4 April 2004, the phase 4 team from Nanchong, Sichuan had been in Micronesia for about a year. During their time in country, they led training courses for local farmers, planted 20 kinds of vegetables and fruits, supplied 15,000 pounds of vegetables to the market in one year, and built a green house. According to December 2006 ECCO article, the Chinese experts returned to home in early April 2005. The farm is located in the state of Pohnpei spanning 80,000 square meters including 40,000 square meters of tropical rain forests. The farm cultivates crops like sakau, yam, taro, banana, and others. The remaining 40,000 square meters houses laboratories, offices, and greenhouses. The purpose of this bilateral cooperation is to train local Micronesian farmers, introduce new seeds, and transfer agricultural technology to increase productivity.