PHNOM PENH, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- A China-ASEAN Youth Dialogue convened here on Tuesday, focusing on how cutting-edge technology can drive modern agriculture.
The event brought together approximately 150 participants to share insights and experiences on using modern innovations, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), drones, and the Internet of Things (IoT), to modernize the agricultural sector across Cambodia and the broader ASEAN region.
Seak Leng, an undersecretary of state at Cambodia's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), emphasized that agriculture remains a priority sector for Cambodia, serving as a cornerstone for the national economy, food security, and rural livelihoods.
"In an era of rapid technological advancement, modernizing agriculture goes beyond just using machinery or modern equipment," he said during the event. "It also encompasses innovation, digital technology, data analytics, and research and development to boost productivity, quality, and value-added potential."
Leng highlighted young people as the primary catalysts for meaningful change within the sector.
"I am confident this event will spark creative ideas, facilitate knowledge exchange, and build strong partnerships among youth and key institutions from both countries," he said. "Ultimately, this will help transition Cambodia's agricultural sector into one that is more modern, efficient, climate-resilient, and highly competitive."
The dialogue was organized by China's Guangxi Radio and Television Station in collaboration with Cambodia's MAFF, Ministry of Information, National Television of Cambodia, and Royal University of Agriculture.
Nguon Samnang, vice president of the Cambodia Agricultural Science Academy, said the dialogue arrived at a pivotal moment, emphasizing that embracing innovations like AI, drones, and IoT is vital for modernizing the agricultural sector and ensuring sustainable growth.
"Many of the agricultural technologies and innovations developed in China can be adopted across the ASEAN region, including Cambodia, to boost farmers' livelihoods and support agricultural communities," he said.
He added that cooperation between China and ASEAN can be expanded through active exchanges among experts, youth, and young researchers, noting that the participation of both the younger generation and local farmers is essential for future agricultural development.
Leang Seiha, a fourth-year student at the Royal University of Agriculture in Phnom Penh, described the dialogue as a unique opportunity to exchange techniques, share ideas, and learn about China's modern agricultural practices.
"I would like to thank China for working closely with Cambodia to share its technical knowledge, as well as organizing training programs and seminars," she told Xinhua. "These platforms allow us, as students, to explore new technologies that can help modernize Cambodia's agriculture."
Thong Mengdavid, deputy director of the China-ASEAN Studies Center at the Cambodia University of Technology and Science, said Chinese agricultural technologies-including spraying drones, IoT soil sensors, and high-yield crop seeds-are essential tools for modernizing farming across Cambodia and the wider ASEAN region.
"Adopting these scalable solutions helps local farmers boost yields, cut labor costs, build climate resilience, and meet global export standards," he told Xinhua.
He emphasized that China and ASEAN should prioritize expanding cooperation in key areas, including digital and smart agriculture platforms, agri-e-commerce supply chains, and green technologies like climate-resilient breeding.
Additionally, both China and ASEAN should establish dedicated youth agri-tech exchange hubs while increasing investments in vocational training and technical education for rural communities, Mengdavid added. ■
