With support from Chinese ministries a research center on farming in Africa was inaugurated on January 4 at Nanjing Agricultural University, east China's Jiangsu Province. It's the first such center in the country.

The newly-established group will focus its research on major theories and issues concerning agricultural reform and development in Africa. It'll provide relevant departments with consultancy and related services for drafting policies on Sino-African agricultural cooperation, said university sources.

The center will also host training programs entrusted by Chinese ministries of education and commerce to assist African nations through education. This will include holding technical training courses and seminars for government officials on advanced studies and the training of African students working for Chinese bachelor's or master's degrees.

Chinese agricultural specialists will visit African countries to start training courses on China's agro-science, technologies and management expertise.

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2007)