A China-aided agricultural technology center broke ground in Togo on Wednesday, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in agricultural fields.

Chinese Ambassador to Togo Yang Min, Vice Governor of China's Jiangxi Province Xiong Shengwen and other officials of both countries attended the ceremony.

Yang highlighted the boost of the Sino-Togo cooperation since the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2006.

Stressing the importance of cooperation in agriculture, the Chinese ambassador said the two sides will fully implement cooperation programs reached within the framework of the forum and take further steps to deepen bilateral relations in all fields.

The fruitful cooperation will contribute to the development of Togo's agriculture and the strengthening of its food safety, he added.

Togolese Agriculture Minister Kossi Messan Ewovor praised Sino-Togo cooperation in agriculture.

"It is helpful for Togo to tackle challenges posed by food crises," he said.

The center, consisting of a 10-hectare agricultural technology demonstration land and an 80-hectare rice cultivation base, would be constructed by China's Jiangxi Huachang infrastructure engineering company.

The project will be completed before the end of 2009.

(Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2008)