China’s Guizhou’s green agricultural products make way into Persian Gulf – The Manila Times

Report on Guizhou Province’s Sustainable Agricultural Development at the 2025 Middle East Organic & Natural Expo

Introduction: Showcasing Sustainable Agriculture on a Global Stage

On November 17, 2025, a delegation from Guizhou Province, China, participated in the Middle East Organic & Natural Expo in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Organized by the Department of Commerce and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, 16 enterprises presented over 100 distinct agricultural products. This initiative highlights Guizhou’s commitment to sustainable agricultural practices that align with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including promoting economic growth, ensuring responsible production, and alleviating poverty.

Economic and Social Impact: Aligning with SDG 1 and SDG 8

Guizhou’s agricultural development model demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth and eradicating poverty, directly contributing to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

• Poverty Alleviation: The cultivation of specialty industries, such as tea, roxburgh roses, and chili peppers, has directly increased the incomes of over 6 million farmers.
• Economic Growth: By developing these large-scale agricultural sectors, the province has created sustainable economic opportunities and promoted rural development.

Sustainable Production and Quality Assurance: Contributions to SDG 2 and SDG 12

The province has implemented robust systems to ensure food safety and promote sustainable consumption and production patterns, addressing the objectives of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

1. Full-Chain Traceability: A comprehensive quality traceability system has been established, monitoring products from the field to the consumer’s table.
2. International Certifications: Participating enterprises have secured multiple certifications that validate their commitment to sustainable and safe production methods. These include:
   • Green Food
   • Organic Product
   • Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
   • Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)
   • Rainforest Alliance
3. High-Quality Products: Items showcased, such as Duyun Maojian tea, “Plateau Red” chili products, and organic roxburgh rose juice, exemplify the high standards of Guizhou’s green and organic agricultural output.

Environmental Stewardship and Global Partnerships: Supporting SDG 15 and SDG 17

Guizhou leverages its unique ecological advantages for sustainable agriculture, contributing to SDG 15 (Life on Land), while building global trade networks in line with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

• Unique Natural Conditions: The province’s climate, characterized by low latitude, high altitude, and synchronized rainfall and heat, provides an ideal environment for high-quality, sustainable crop production.
• Global Trade Integration: As a key node in the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, Guizhou has developed a modern circulation system described as “Guizhou base – Dubai hub – global table.”
• Enhanced Logistics: Inter-modal transport channels, including the China-Europe Railway Express and the China-Laos Railway, facilitate the integration of Guizhou’s green agricultural products into the global market, fostering international partnerships for sustainable development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • The article directly connects the development of specialty agricultural industries to poverty reduction by stating that these industries “have directly contributed to increasing incomes for more than 6 million farmers.” This addresses the goal of ending poverty in all its forms.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • This goal is addressed through the focus on sustainable and high-quality agriculture. The article mentions the implementation of a “full-chain quality traceability system” and certifications like “Green Food, Organic Product, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)… and Rainforest Alliance,” which are all practices aimed at ensuring sustainable food production systems.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article highlights how Guizhou is promoting economic growth by developing its “specialty industries” in agriculture. This creates economic opportunities and increases income for millions of farmers, contributing to sustained and inclusive economic growth.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The development of a “modern circulation system” is a key theme. The article mentions enhanced “port functions,” innovative “customs clearance models,” and “Inter-modal transport channels, including the China-Europe Railway Express, the China-Laos Railway, and South Asia shipping routes.” This demonstrates investment in resilient infrastructure to support economic development and trade.
5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The emphasis on “green agricultural products,” “Organic Product” certification, and a “full-chain quality traceability system – from field to table” directly relates to promoting sustainable production patterns. These measures ensure that products are produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article describes Guizhou’s efforts to integrate its products “into the global market” by participating in the “Middle East Organic & Natural Expo” in Dubai. This act of engaging in international trade and establishing a system described as “Guizhou base – Dubai hub – global table” is an example of a partnership to achieve sustainable development through trade.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty.
   • The article’s statement about “increasing incomes for more than 6 million farmers” is a direct action contributing to this poverty reduction target.
2. Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.
   • The focus on developing specialty industries that have increased the incomes of 6 million farmers directly aligns with this target of improving the livelihoods of food producers.
3. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
   • This is supported by the mention of certifications like “Green Food, Organic Product, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP),” and the establishment of a “full-chain quality traceability system.”
4. Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification… including through a focus on high-value added… sectors.
   • Guizhou’s strategy to “vigorously developed its specialty industries” with high-quality crops like tea and roxburgh roses is a clear example of focusing on high-value agricultural sectors to boost economic productivity.
5. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development.
   • The article explicitly mentions the enhancement of “port functions,” “innovated customs clearance models,” and the use of “Inter-modal transport channels” like the China-Europe and China-Laos Railways, which are all infrastructure developments to facilitate trade.
6. Target 12.a: Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of… production.
   • The implementation of a “full-chain quality traceability system” and achieving multiple international certifications (GAP, HACCP, Rainforest Alliance) demonstrates a strengthened capacity for sustainable production.
7. Target 17.11: Significantly increase the exports of developing countries.
   • The entire purpose of Guizhou’s participation in the Dubai expo and the establishment of a global trade corridor is to integrate its “green agricultural products into the global market,” thereby increasing its exports.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Income Growth for Farmers:
   • The article provides a specific number: “increasing incomes for more than 6 million farmers.” This is a direct quantitative indicator of progress towards poverty reduction (SDG 1) and economic growth for small-scale producers (SDG 2).
2. Adoption of Sustainable Agricultural Practices:
   • The presence of certifications such as “Green Food, Organic Product, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP),… and Rainforest Alliance” serves as a clear indicator. The number of farms or enterprises achieving these certifications can be measured to track progress on sustainable production (SDG 2, SDG 12).
3. Implementation of Quality Control Systems:
   • The establishment of a “full-chain quality traceability system – from field to table” is a measurable indicator of improved production standards and consumer safety, relevant to SDG 2 and SDG 12.
4. Development of Trade Infrastructure:
   • The mention of specific transport channels like the “China-Europe Railway Express” and the “China-Laos Railway” being used for trade is an indicator of infrastructure development and utilization (SDG 9).
5. Market Diversification and Export Volume:
   • The participation in an international expo in Dubai and the creation of a “Guizhou base – Dubai hub – global table” system imply an effort to increase and diversify exports. The volume and value of agricultural products exported through these channels would be a key indicator for SDG 17.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: manilatimes.net