From 21 to 28 October 2024, the 9th ReCAMA Training and Study Tour for Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors was conducted in Guangzhou and Changsha by the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Aisa and the Pacific (ESCAP), the China Agricultural Machinery Distribution Association (CAMDA), the China Agricultural Mechanization Association (CAMA), and the China Association of Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers (CAAMM).

The event was attended by 31 representatives from 10 Member Associations, and featured an intensive itinerary, including visits to companies, a field demonstration, attendance at the 10th ReCAMA Member Meeting, an agricultural machinery business matching gala, and a visit to the 2024 China International Agricultural Machinery Exhibition (CIAME).

From 22 to 24 October the participants explored advanced agricultural technologies in Guangzhou through visits to enterprises specialized in agricultural uncrewed aerial vehicles; the research and development of agricultural machinery, as well as equipment for agriculture, aquaculture and livestock management.

A visit to the South China Agricultural University’s fully automated farm in Zengcheng was conducted on 24 October, which demonstrated the AI-powered machinery in harvesting and post-harvesting operations on the farm pilots.  

Following the visits in Guangzhou, the participants moved to Changsha to attend the 10th ReCAMA Member Meeting on 25 October. The Meeting reported the results delivered by ReCAMA in 2024, discussed the work plan for 2025 and elected the Vietnam Society of Agricultural Engineering and the Mongolian National Farmers Association as the Chair and Vice Chair Association for 2025, respectively. From 26 to 27 October, delegates visited CIAME at the Changsha New China International Exhibition Center. Themed "Developing New Quality Agricultural Productive Forces to Accelerate Strong Agricultural Powerhouse Construction" the 2024 edition of CIAME showcased a wide array of advanced agricultural equipment and services in this field.

The tour highlighted the potential for mechanization advancements in harvesting and post-harvesting for the sustainable transformation of food production in the Asia-Pacific region. Visits in Guangzhou focusing on small and medium-scale agricultural equipment were tailored to meet the needs of regional manufacturers and distributors, particularly for delegates from countries with geographical features close to those of Southern China, and the exhibition visit in Changsha complemented the experience showcasing the latest trends and technologies in agricultural mechanization and modern farming.