A 10-day training course on maize cultivation technology opened in Addis Ababa Thursday with the participation of 10 African countries, including the host country Ethiopia.

The course was jointly organized by the Ethiopian Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED) and the Chinese Government.

China is second among the five leading maize producing countries in the world.

During the 10-day training program, the participants will be provided with courses that focus on technical knowledge in maize cultivation and field management, and how to spread knowledge about agriculture technology.

Ethiopia harvests an average of more than 2.4 million tons of maize which is second only to the indigenous grain "Teff" in the volume of harvests.

In her opening remarks, MoFED Minister of State Mulu Ketsela commended the Chinese Government for organizing the maize cultivation training scheme. Maize is the staple grain in many African countries whose governments attach particular importance to the agricultural sector since it is the mainstay of the majority of people on the continent.

China has a strong team of experts in agricultural training. It will help facilitate the transfer of appropriate agricultural skills, and will also contribute to the improvement of maize production in the countries participating in the program, Mulu said.

A high-level ministerial conference on China-Africa co-operation is scheduled to take place in December 2003 in Addis Ababa to further enhance existing socio-economic co-operation between China and Africa, added Mulu.

(China Daily August 23, 2003)