China implements phase 5 of technical cooperation for the Pohnpei Pilot Farm in Micronesia (Linked to Umbrella Project #64557, ETCA #63898)

In September 2005, a Chinese government official signed an economic and technical cooperation agreement (ETCA #63898) for phases five (or Pohnpei Demonstration Farm or 援密第五期佩州示范农场技术合作项目) and six (#63901) of a technical cooperation project on the Pohnpei pilot farm in Micronesia. Umbrella project #64557 captures all 11 phases of technical cooperation. According to a February 2007 ECCO article, phase 5 of technical cooperation began when five experts from Hunan International Technical Cooperation Co., Ltd arrived in Micronesia in November 2005 with the help of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. According to their annual work summary for the period between November 2005 and 2006, the team's main tasks as promised in the original exchange of letters were as follows: (1) renovating 17 greenhouses and building a new one (2) installing solar water heaters, (3) constructing septic tanks, (4) building new pig houses, (5) paving roads, (6) training locals in vegetable production and technology. As of November 2006, the farm had produced 42,006.25 pounds of vegetables and fruits. Phase 5 ended in November 2007. 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.

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