CSAM joined and contributed to the reviving global discussions on sustainable agricultural mechanization at a workshop on agricultural mechanization in Asia and Africa, co-organized by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and National School of Development at Peking University in Beijing from 18 June to 19 June 2014.

Mr. Zhao Bing and Ms. Ai Yuxin, Head and Senior Expert of CSAM respectively, were invited to take part in the panel dialogues on the roles of public and private-sectors in promoting agricultural mechanization development. Prof. Justin Yifu Lin, Honorary Dean of National School of Development and Dr. Shenggen Fan, Director General of IFPRI, opened the workshop by addressing the emerging challenge of agricultural mechanization development in Africa, and how Asian experience could contribute to global sustainable agricultural solutions. Representatives from Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, Thailand, India, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia delivered presentations on agriculture mechanization in Asian and African countries.

In recent years, the role of agricultural mechanization in sustainable development and food security has gained increasing attention from policy makers across developing countries in Asia. With emerging rural labor shortage and feminization of agricultural production as a result of rapid urbanization, and increasing demand for food and nutrients, there is a growing need to develop agricultural mechanization to address productivity gains and improve rural livelihoods. A holistic approach has to be adopted to address agricultural mechanization in a sustainable manner, particularly, its impact on the environment and women empowerment, through adoption of sustainable agricultural technologies and gender sensive policies and initiatives.

The purpose of the workshop was to facilitate south-south knowledge exchange among national researchers, policymakers, and private sector participants for lessons and experiences of mechanization and agricultural transformation in Asian and African countries. A particular focus is on the role of the private sector in supporting sustainable agricultural mechanization development for countries in which small-scale farmers dominate.