by Suelin Low Chew Tung
Music, food, technology and the quiet hospitality of our hosts were the highlight of the field trip to Pinggu District in Beijing municipality on Wednesday, 8 March.
About an hour from Beijing city’s modern architecture and hustle is Pinggu District, home to over 40 varieties of peach. It is an ecological conservation district and one of Beijing’s main agricultural bases, merging innovative agricultural science and technology to support food security. Pinggu District is also home to Beijing Huadong Musical Instrument Co., internationally known for its violins. The Violin Culture Experience Hall neatly encapsulated the history and complexity of violin manufacture over some 22 processes required to produce the quality instruments displayed in the adjacent showroom. With an annual output of up to 200,000 violins, 80% are sold in over 30 countries and regions across Europe, the US and Southeast Asia. One in every 3 violins worldwide is produced and exported from this company, so violin manufacture is a solid foreign exchange earner for China.
During the tour, I thought of our Tivoli drummers and wondered if there is a global market for Grenada-made musical instruments.
Technology and smart systems are an integral part of the agricultural landscape in Pinggu. All the places we visited demonstrated how such systems ensure food security for China’s 1.4 billion people and provide for export. Zixingyuan (Beijing) Food Technology Co., a large-scale producer of meat, condiments, frozen pasta, rice products, hot-processed pastries, pre-made dishes, etc., graciously hosted us. Established in 2021, Zixingyuan uses smart management systems to ensure production process and quality, reduce personnel flow, cross-infection, and improve work efficiency. Such systems are necessary to meet hourly production demands of 4,000 and 6,000 of its most popular breads; 5,000 Baozi (steamed-filled buns) and up to 1.3 tons of Zenggao, a sweet glutinous rice cake.
A feast of about 20 dishes of meats, sweet and savoury breads and traditional snacks was much appreciated and quickly disappeared. Zixingyuan also hosted lunch, providing a second opportunity to taste foods produced in Pinngu. Our host’s genuine hospitality was evident, and the women in our group received red roses on arrival to mark International Women’s Day.
More agri-tech was shown at the Beijing Jingwa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Centre, a private non-enterprise established in 2021. Jingwa Greenhouse Horticultural and Jingwa Fruit Industry demonstration parks utilise smart agri-tech to boost greenhouse vegetable production, and the extensive smart orchards planted in peaches, pears and apples benefit from focused scientific research to advance low-carbon, efficient operations.
Immediately I thought of Grenada’s defunct Botanical Gardens, which, in its day, functioned as a demonstration park, showcasing what was grown in Grenada. Perhaps we need a revamp, a demonstration park and seed bank to complement the Ministry of Agriculture’s propagation stations.
We also stopped at Agricultural Zhongguancun Science Park, China’s top scientific, educational and talent resource for innovation. The park hosts multi-agriculture-related enterprises, research and development platforms, and innovation and entrepreneurship teams.
At Beijing WOD Chen-Long Biotechnology Co., I encountered a 3 in 1 poultry entity that deals with breeding, production and marketing across its sister companies. Yukou Poultry, the world’s largest egg breeder, independently raised 5 layer breeds and 3 broiler breeds, negating the importation of chicks from Europe and the US. Smart Food, the second sister company, produces chicken broilers within 42 days of hatching, and their hens start laying eggs in 6 months. Wode Botron, the last sister company, integrates platforms with breeding, trading, financial service, and other functions along the industry chain. This poultry powerhouse is open to China and to go global.
As far as I know, Grenada imports chicks and turkeys from the US, and small farmers are often held hostage when shipments are delayed. Can China assist?
I was particularly intrigued by the concept of ‘doctor farms.’ Essentially, academics from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Academy of Engineering and over 100 PhD experts in various agricultural fields become farmers in Pinggu, assisting local farmers in transforming how agriculture is implemented and managed. Nanying Doctor Farm was our last stop of the day, and what a treat! This self-sufficient farm uses greenhouses, technology and natural growth methods, including bee pollination, to produce excellent soilless cultivated strawberries. The staff at the Nanying Doctor Farm were generous with their time, filling at least 30 bowls of fruit after we deluged them with requests to purchase. A sweet end to a most fulfilling day.
Bees are necessary for global food production as well as in Grenada. They are also necessary for our excellent honey. I was stung by a bee when I was 9 because I was in the bee’s way of doing its business. Now, I just move out of their way. How do we educate our population on the need to leave these pollinators alone and not attack them with spray or stomp them underfoot? Grenada could benefit from a similar doctor farm concept which could be key to securing Grenada’s national food security.
I noticed many empty buildings as we drove to our various destinations. Pinggu, like many places around the world, suffered economic setbacks from the pandemic. On the horizon, the Chinese economy is rebounding, and people on the ground are optimistic about the future. I also understand that subway line 22, the Pinggu Line, is currently under construction, and by the end of 2025, it will link Beijing city to Pinggu, bringing welcome relief to the area.
All along the way, women were at the fore. Pinggu is also known for its rural and folk tourism. I was amazed at the stunning flour sculptures and the delicate paper mâché and paper filigree artworks displayed by the Pinggu District Women’s Federation. From our guides, translator and supervisors on the bus, to our hosts at our various stops, it was fitting that on International Women’s Day, we engaged with many women across the music, agriculture and technology industries in Pinggu.
Pinggu is roughly 3 times the size and population of Grenada, however, by integrating agri-tech into its agricultural landscape, it contributes greatly to China’s demand for quality food. Similarly, to ensure food security for our tri-island nation, focused public-private investment in agri-tech is critical to manage our agricultural landscape, significantly reduce our food import bill, and generate sustainable employment and agri-industries.
Suelin is visiting Beijing, hosted by China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC), to report on China with a Grenadian view.
When you are hosted by the Chinese especially a person if the same culture must tow the Party line and support everything Chinese. No, Grenada does NOT need to import from China live animals like chick’s. That distance is detrimental to the animals and also more opportunity for disease to be spread.
Grenada is a TINY island that cannot provide enough water for locals, now you have Chinese pushing in at Levera with ugly huge un-needed hotel development. Grenada needs to grow LOCAL CARIBBEAN food nit be pressured to grow Chinese products like dragonfruit. This is NON NATIVE produce. Grenada needs to use agriculture in a NATURAL , NON MECHANIZED, manner. You will destroy the complete environment with Chinese methods. Move back Sue Lin if you think China is so wonderful.