Based at the Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the High-Tech park serves as a testing ground for agricultural systems, bringing together plant breeding, circular farming practices, nature conservation, soil science, and employing artificial intelligence. It aims to address challenges in high quality food production and food security.
Chongqing Modern Agricultural High-Tech Park demonstrates that the future of agriculture will be shaped not by a single technology or innovation, but by smart integration of technology and ecosystem restoration.
Chongqing High-Tech Park Manmade Wetland
Erik Smidt, Counsellor for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in China explains: “As both China and the Netherlands seek to strengthen food security and find solutions to produce more nature friendly, collaboration on exchanging knowledge and new technologies as AI and robotics in Agriculture and research on NO2 reduction can play a vital role in developing agricultural systems that are productive, resilient, and sustainable.”
For example, the park's aquaponics facility combines fish production and vegetable cultivation in a closed-loop system. Researchers are studying optimal combinations of fish species and leafy vegetables to develop balanced production models that maximize nutrient recycling while maintaining high yields. The facility also serves as a platform for the application of artificial intelligence. These models are being tested to monitor machinery performance, assess water quality in real time, and optimize feeding regimes, reducing resource use while improving operational efficiency.
Enhancing biodiversity and food production at the same time
Another initiative is the academy's Soil Sample Bank. Researchers have collected more than 1,500 soil samples from across Chongqing, creating a valuable baseline for longterm monitoring of soil health. By comparing samples over time, scientists can track changes in soil quality, detect pollution or heavy metal accumulation, and assess the effectiveness of biodiversity-enhancing agricultural practices. This long-term approach provides insights into the sustainability of food systems.
Chongqing High-Tech Park Soil Bank
Beyond the technical innovations, future collaboration between the Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences and universities in the Netherlands contributes to the development of more sustainable food systems while creating opportunities for joint research on climate-resilient agriculture, circular production systems, and farming technologies.
Greenhouse technology contributes to local solutions
Chongqing's agricultural conditions differ significantly from those in many other regions of China. Vegetable production often takes place on hilly terrain, while the region's long, warm summers create distinct cultivation challenges. Dutch expertise in greenhouse technology, precision farming equipment, and high-performing crop varieties could contribute to locally adapted solutions.
Agroforestry systems that intercrop fruit trees with annual crops on sloping farmland may offer opportunities to improve land-use efficiency, strengthen climate resilience, reduce erosion. Joint research could help identify models that are both environmentally sustainable and economically viable.
Fostering lasting partnerships to achieve food security for all
In the exchange with the Chongqing Commission of Agricultural and Rural Affairs people-to-people connections were recognized as an essential foundation for long-term cooperation. Talent exchanges, scientific delegations, and reciprocal visits accelerate knowledge transfer and foster lasting partnerships. In this context, interest was expressed in participating in GreenTech Amsterdam in 2027, providing an opportunity for Chongqing researchers and agricultural innovators to engage directly with global leaders in horticultural technology.
Being connected offers great opportunities for further collaboration towards achieving high quality food production and food security for all.
For more information please contact pek-lvvn@minbuza.nl