A Chinese agricultural technology demonstration centre in Mozambique has trained more than 1,000 locals in the use of such equipment, Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua reported on Monday.

The centre was established in Maputo province in 2007, and was one of the first such Chinese facilities in Africa.

China has also provided to Mozambique seeds for high-yielding crops and equipment: to enable all-year farming there, the report said. The report added the initiatives marked the forging of China’s closer agricultural co-operation with the country.

Xinhua additionally reported that Wanbao Grains and Oils Co, a Chinese agricultural product processing firm, has invested US$200 million in a 20,000-hectare rice farm project in Gaza province, with the aim of enhancing Mozambique’s grain production.

Sérgio Chichava, a researcher at Mozambique’s Institute of Social and Economic Studies, told Xinhua the Chinese projects have helped the African nation in solving its food shortage.