The 8th ReCAMA Training and Study Tour for Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors was organized from 22 to 27 October in China, co-hosted by the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP-CSAM), the China Agricultural Machinery Distribution Association, the China Agricultural Mechanization Association, the China Association of Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers and the Nanjing Institute of Agricultural Mechanization of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China.

As highlighted by Dr. Yutong Li, Head of ESCAP-CSAM, in her opening remarks, 600 million smallholder farmers contribute to about 35% of global food production; thus it is imperative to equip the smallholding farmers with “environmentally friendly, economically viable, and socially inclusive farming techniques” in enhancing their productivity and optimizing the production process in safeguarding food security.  

In this context, the 8th ReCAMA Training and Study Tour for Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors focused on “Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization for Smallholders” to bridge the existing gaps in knowledge and infrastructure by introducing to the ReCAMA members technologies, sustainable machinery and equipment suitable for smallholders.In total, 34 participants from Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Türkiye, and Viet Nam visited enterprises and research institutes that provide and develop machinery and technologies suitable for smallholders in Suzhou, Wuxi, Zhenjiang and Nanjing, covering automation technologies for greenhouse farming, small and medium-sized transplanters, small machinery and equipment for vegetable and fruit production, harvesters for various crops, among others.  

In addition, a training session was also held in Wuhan, which was opened by Dr. Li Yutong, Head of ESCAP-CSAM; Mr. Junqi Wu, Chief Supervisor of the China Agricultural Machinery Distribution Association (CAMDA); and Mr. Chuansheng Zhang, Deputy Director of the Division of Foreign Affairs of China Agricultural Mechanization Center (CAMC). The session focused on post-harvest and processing technologies and equipment as well as agricultural machinery custom hiring models in China. Post-harvest and processing technologies are able to reduce post-harvest losses significantly and custom hiring is a proven and feasible way to ensure accessibility to agricultural mechanization technologies by smallholders.   

The 8th ReCAMA Training and Study Tour for Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors was concluded in Wuhan with participants attending the China International Agricultural Machinery Exhibition (CIAME) 2023, where they were exposed to the latest agricultural technologies, machinery and equipment from over 2,000 exhibitors across the world. 

A business matching event was also organized during the CIAME by ESCAP-CSAM and the China Agricultural Machinery Distribution Association. More than 300 participants from over 20 countries attended the business matching event enhancing the regional connection and trade of sustainable agricultural machinery. 

The Regional Council of Agricultural Machinery Associations in Asia and the Pacific (ReCAMA) is a flagship initiative of ESCAP-CSAM with the mandate to promote sustainable agricultural machinery trade in the region. It currently includes 21 associations members from 15 countries.