The People’s Republic of China will support Guinea-Bissau with agricultural machinery and training of agricultural technicians, following a request made by Guinean President José Mário Vaz, reports the RDP Africa service of Portuguese public broadcaster RTP. The assurance was given by the Chinese Ambassador in Bissau, Wang Hua, according to the report.

The first step will be to deliver the agricultural machinery, followed by the training of agricultural technicians focused on new agricultural technologies.

Wang Hua, quoted by RDP Africa, estimates that China’s support will allow Guinea-Bissau to increase agricultural production from 1.8 tonnes per hectare to as much as seven tonnes per hectare.