Decades of agricultural cooperation between China and Uruguay have greatly benefited Uruguayan farmers, with a strong desire to further this partnership into technological innovation, a Uruguayan agricultural expert says.

Miguel Sierra, manager of innovation and communication at the National Agricultural Research Institute of Uruguay, recently concluded a 21-day visit to China. Reflecting on the trip, he stressed China's advanced status in scientific and technological innovation.

"In Uruguay, I work on agricultural cooperation projects with China, and my recent visit has reinforced my belief that China is at the first world level of scientific and technological innovation," he said.

"I visited various institutions showcasing cutting-edge research. Having visited many countries and being a member of numerous agricultural research networks in Latin America, I can confidently say that China's advancements are impressive."

Sierra stressed China's technological prowess, such as using digital technology to monitor animal health. "These technological applications can be incredibly practical for commercial use," he said.

While China already has high scientific capabilities, its current challenge is to integrate this capacity with the economy to generate greater economic returns, he said. "China has made strides here, with many institutions employing technological brokers to bridge the gap between research and the innovation sector."

Building connections between science and the economy is crucial, Sierra said, expressing hope that Uruguay can learn from China's practices.

Top export market

Sierra said China and Uruguay have a long history of agricultural collaboration, starting with a 1993 agreement. Since 2013, China has become Uruguay's top export market, particularly for beef and soybeans.

"There are tens of thousands of farmers in Uruguay who depend on beef and soybean sales. When business opportunities in China arise, these farmers can earn more, bringing positive impacts to local society," he said.

From a commercial perspective, the bilateral collaboration is strong, but there is room for improvement in science, technology and innovation. "Successive Uruguayan governments over the last 15 years have prioritized the development of a long-term agricultural collaboration strategy with China," Sierra said.

"Uruguay has strong scientific capabilities in life sciences but needs to generate more value and connect science with innovation and the global market. In this process, China is an ideal partner. For China, Uruguay offers a test platform for its scientific and technological innovation and a gateway to Mercosur (the Southern Common Market)."