Chinese technologies power agricultural modernization in Pacific Island countries

Experts from the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences in China have been offering technological support to Pacific Island nations, working to improve local farming techniques and increase farmers' earnings.

For years, the Jiangsu Academy has been collaborating with Pacific Island nations on agricultural science and technology under the framework of South-South Cooperation.

Recently, the academy has focused its efforts on improving the cultivation of vegetables and other crops in some Pacific Island countries.

In June, vegetable cultivation expert Diao Weiping will travel to Fiji and Vanuatu to guide local farmers in growing vegetables they currently rely mostly on importing.

"Peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and leafy vegetables like Chinese cabbage and kale are among the most popular vegetables in these countries. However, they import many of these vegetables from Australia and New Zealand at relatively high prices," said Diao Weiping, deputy director of the Institute of Vegetable Crops at the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

According to Diao, their cucumber cultivation techniques have helped a farmer in Fiji increase yields and boost his income.

"There is a farmer in Fiji who wanted to grow cucumbers. We then taught him how to improve his cultivation techniques, including soil improvement, fertilization, and the proper use of growth regulators. Now, his yields are much higher. He harvests hundreds of kilograms daily, and many local restaurants place orders with him," Diao said.

Achieving self-sufficiency in vegetables and other crops is vital for food security in Pacific Island countries and also helps to improve local diets.

"On one hand, we focus on training agricultural officials as a long-term resource for their agricultural development. On the other hand, we work to help them train professionals who can improve the practical skills of local enterprises and large-scale growers," said Zou Yi, head of the International Cooperation Department at the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Chinese technologies power agricultural modernization in Pacific Island countries

The death toll from a landfill collapse in the central Philippine city of Cebu has risen to eight by Monday morning as search and rescue operations continued for another 28 missing people.

The landfill collapse occurred on Thursday as dozens of sanitation workers were working at the site. The disaster has already caused injuries of 18 people.

Family members of the missing people said the rescue progress is slow, and the hope for the survival of their loved ones is fading.

"For me, maybe I’ve accepted the worst result already because the garbage is poisonous and yesterday, it was raining very hard the whole day. Maybe they’ve been poisoned. For us, alive or dead, I hope we can get their bodies out of the garbage rubble," said Maria Kareen Rubin, a family member of a victim.

Families have set up camps on high ground near the landfill, awaiting news of their relatives. Some people at the site said cries for help could still be heard hours after the landfill collapsed, but these voices gradually faded away.

Bienvenido Ranido, who lost his wife in the disaster, said he can't believe all that happened.

"After they gave my wife oxygen, my kids and I were expecting that she would be saved that night because she was still alive. But the night came and till the next morning, they didn't manage to save her," he said.

Death toll in central Philippine landfill collapse rises to eight