During September 13^th to 19^th, Kenya agricultural delegation paid a visit to China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI) under the invitation of Director General Dr. Cheng Shihua. The delegation is made up of 6 experts and officials from Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization and Kenya National Irrigation Board. Director General Dr. Cheng Shihua and Deputy Director General Dr. Hu Peisong meet up with the delegation.

The two sides introduced to each other the development on rice science and technology and its application in China and Kenya respectively in the meeting, particularly the progress two sides have made since 2013 Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta visited CNRRI.

Cheng Shihua briefed the delegation the latest progress of CNRRI’s hybrid rice research and its new strategy. He pointed out, since CNRRI and Kenya singed the cooperation agreement, CNRRI has shared expertise with Kenyan scientists and farmers in rice production with its research strength and extension experience. CNRRI will fulfill its commitment to do more for Kenyan people and enhance its food security.

Bibiana M. Walela, Kanya’s Assistant Director of Agriculture noted that, Kenya’s rice industry is developing fast. However, due to limited varieties and low level of mechanization, rice is of high price and mainly depends on import though it is gaining popularity among Kenyan people and the consumption has been surged over the past years. She spoke highly of the contribution CNRRI made to Kenya, “We hope we could learn from China and get more technical support from CNRRI, to achieve our national ten-year plan on rice– double the rice yield by 2018”.

Two sides then had a deep discussion on further collaboration and reached consensus. During their stay in China, delegates also visited CNRRI infrastructure, experimental fields of CNRRI new varieties, demonstration base of super high-yield rice in Zhuji city, and Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Science