Dali, China,, June 10, 2025 / Prnewswire / – A group of young entrepreneurs from eight countries finished a three -day digital agriculture bootcamp in Yunnan Province, part of a global effort to equip the next generation of agrifood leaders with the skills and tools necessary to resolve agricultural challenges in the real world.
The innovation bootcamp in digital agriculture, co-organized by the United Nations food and agricultural organization (FAO), Zhejiang The University and the Pindeduo Electronic Commerce Platform have brought together 18 founders of startups for practical training and field research. All the participants were previous by the Global Agriinno Challenge, a competition led by FAO recognizing the innovation led by young people in agriculture.
“At FAO, we believe that young people led by young people fueled by emerging technologies and digital public infrastructure can play a transformative role in the construction of more resistant, efficient and fair agrifood systems” Vincent MartinDirector of the FAO innovation office.
The Bootcamp is based on the momentum of past competitions and is part of the campaign during Pinduduo to stimulate agricultural modernization thanks to digital tools and scientific innovation.
The program was divided into two parts. THE Yunnan The leg, held in the old village of Gusheng in Dali, gave participants a first -hand exhibition to the way in which digital agriculture is deployed at the local level. Entrepreneurs have conducted interviews with local farmers, visited “science and technology” or field research stations and observed intelligent agriculture initiatives to improve soil health and reduce chemical use.
“Mechanized planting and modern practices transform local agriculture,” said Robinson, founder of startup of Peru who participated in the Bootcamp. “See first -hand how digital tools improve efficiency and sustainability have been incredibly precious.”
The first part of the bootcamp took place in Zhejiang University HangzhouWhere participants were initiated into innovation tools such as stakeholder mapping, needs assessment and start -up funds. Experts from FAO, Pinduodoo and large agricultural universities have shared practical strategies for the scaling of agri-tech solutions in contexts of small operators.
Back in Dali, the participants learned how local farmers use application platforms to order fertilizer adapted to their cultivation and soil profiles. A pilot program would have reduced nitrogen and phosphorus runoff in Lake Erhai near more than 30%.
“This exchange gave me new ways to think about adoption,” said Robinson, the founder of the startup. “Farmers will not pay for innovation – they will pay solutions that improve their lives.”
For PinduDoo, the Bootcamp is part of a long -term commitment in agricultural development. The company has continuously supported initiatives such as the Global Agriinno Challenge, the competition of the Scientific and Technological Court, and now this Bootcamp, all under its mission to strengthen agriculture through digital trade and technology.
In April, Pindeduo announced a new RMB 100 billion Support plan to deepen investments in farmers’ support and Agri-Tech innovation. Agricultural research, the development of talents and the promotion of technology are the main elements of the strategy. The company said it would continue to use its digital platform to improve productivity at the source of the supply chain and support rural revitalization efforts.
“Innovation technology is wind, data empowerment is rain and multidisciplinary talent is the plow. Together, they advance modern agriculture,” said Hou KaidiVice-president of Pinduudo. “Over the next three years, we will continue to take advantage of the digital platform and the resources of the company to support the global development and innovation of agricultural talents, allowing the fruits of science and technology to take root in the fields and to energize rural revitalization.”
The FAO said that it would continue to build its global network of digital agriculture innovation centers, to link governments, the academic world, the private sector and farmers to accelerate sustainable transformation in food systems around the world.
Source PinduDuo
