The 5th field day of the Sino-German Crop Production and Agrotechnology Park (DCALDP), which took place on 15th and 16th of June 2019, attracted more than 500 visitors from Jiangsu Province but also from neighboring provinces and Beijing.

The huge joint engagement of the Chinese and German team during the preparation of the field day showed the overall acceptance of the project. The shared understanding that the project can only accomplish its goals if both sides work side by side was expressed through the great performances on both days.

The visit of the German Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture, Julia Klöckner and a representative from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, underlined the importance of the project. An economic delegation of agricultural business representatives joined Mrs. Klöckner for the field day visit and increased the reach of the field day politically and publically. Furthermore, many high ranking Chinese officials took part in the first day of the event and learned about the important aspects of sustainable agriculture and soil cultivation. The focus of the first day was set on passing professional and technical knowledge but also in conveying the important facts to the political representatives who were present.

Mrs. Julia Klöckner, the other German and Chinese politicians and the economic delegation members were very pleased with the set-up of the first day, as speeches, cultural shows and field stations (practical part) were well-balanced and the guests were able to get a good insight on the goals and challenges of the project and also on the local conditions of soil and agricultural techniques.

The focus of the second day was also set on informing the visitors about sustainable agricultural techniques, but highlighting the advantages of modern machinery and products provided by the project’s business partners. The approach to show in practice how the different machines and tractors can be used to demonstrate for example sustainable soil cultivation and avoid water pollution was very successful and extremely appreciated by the business partners and their dealers and clients.

The visitors of the first day benefitted from the hospitality of the Chinese partners of the project and were able to experience a typical Chinese lunch and dinner. Therefore, the second day was prepared to show more of the German culture. For the first time, a German “Oktoberfest” was prepared in the machinery hall on the Huanghai farm, where the German character of celebrating combined with some Chinese cultural shows topped off the weekend.

All together the field day was a great success for the hosts, business partners and supporters of the DCALDP-project and everyone is looking forward to next year’s event.