A panel of nine experts inspected Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone (WHDZ) and offered advice on the construction of a comprehensive agricultural subzone, on Jan 8.
WHDZ decided to introduce the idea of the zone, which was first proposed by the central government in 2017, to develop a modern agricultural industry within the zone.
The planning area of the subzone covers 49.61 square kilometers, with the Yangtze River to the east, Dongjin River and Wuhu Lake Wetlands to the south, Yinlianhu Road to the west and Tongshun River to the north.
It includes 14 villages and has a total population of 25,000. The agricultural acreage in the region covers nearly 40,000 mu (2,667 hectares), and includes an aquaculture area of 25,000 mu.
As some prominent agricultural companies such as Chuxiang Agriculture Co and Yafei Seed Co moved to the area, annual processing output has reached 4 billion yuan ($613 million).
The government of Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone signs a deal with Hubei and Wuhan Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives to develop an agricultural industry. [Photo/WeChat account of WHDZ]
WHDZ plans to spend between three and five years developing the subzone into a demonstration area for modern agriculture, an intelligent agricultural center, and a provider of solutions for agricultural issues.
After listening to the reports on the planning and construction of the comprehensive agricultural subzone, the panel members praised what the zone has done for the construction of the subzone, noting the zone’s efforts and achievements in attracting investment.
They highlighted their enthusiasm for the planned building of a distinctive town with a seed industry, considering it an innovative project compared with comprehensive agricultural areas in other cities. The panel members claimed that the unique town would exert great influence on the national seed industry.
The panel members watch a video introducing WHDZ at a meeting. [Photo/WeChat account of WHDZ]
The nine experts also offered advice on how to fix problems discovered during the tour. They pointed out that the plan should include water ecology projects. The government of the zone should also make efforts to optimize the rural industrial structure.
They maintained that WHDZ should highlight the construction of a “seed town” through improving the various functions of it, and develop the comprehensive agricultural subzone into one with a distinctive and modern agricultural system.
Experts voice their opinions about the planned subzone. [Photo/WeChat account of WHDZ]
