Conference delegates conduct on-site observations at an organic planting base in Lingqiu county, Datong city, Shanxi province. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/for chinadaily.com.cn]

The 3rd Organic Districts World Conference and the 12th Datong Chehe Forum on Organic Agriculture were held in Lingqiu county, Datong city, Shanxi province on Tuesday. The event gathered over 100 experts and scholars from 25 countries and regions, including Italy, Germany, and Indonesia, to discuss the theme "Holistic Organic Agriculture Empowering High-Quality County-Level Economic Development", providing fresh impetus for the sustainable development of global organic agriculture.

In his opening address, Liu Junyi, mayor of Datong city, highlighted Lingqiu county's strategic focus on organic agriculture since 2013 as a means to drive industrial transformation and rural development. Using the Chehe community as a pilot, the county has pioneered a new path for excellent agricultural development in northern Shanxi by promoting organic production.

"Datong will continue to deepen international exchanges and cooperation, striving for new progress and achievements in organic agriculture development," Liu stated.

The conference focused on the role of organic agriculture in addressing environmental challenges such as climate change and soil degradation. It emphasized the use of eco-friendly technologies to achieve ecological restoration and stable production, offering sustainable agricultural solutions for arid regions.

Zhou Zejiang, president of the Advisory Board of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements-Asia, expressed his hope that organic agriculture would serve as a bridge connecting different regions of the world, linking local governments with enterprises and communities, and integrating traditional farming wisdom with innovative reform ideas.

Adityawarman Adil, chairperson of the Bogor City Parliament in Indonesia, called for global collaboration, countries and regions to unite in researching and exploring new models and pathways for organic agriculture and regional development, to build a better, harmonious home and a sustainable future.

Conference delegates conduct on-site observations at an organic planting base in Lingqiu county, Datong city, Shanxi province. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/for chinadaily.com.cn]

As of now, Lingqiu county in Datong has cultivated 100,000 mu (16,473 acres) of land according to organic standards, established a 30,000 mu organic food production base, and achieved organic certification for 133 varieties, with a total organic agricultural output value of 570 million yuan ($79.6 million).

Chehe village in Lingqiu county, stands out as a successful case of developing organic agriculture and building an organic community, serving as a model for international poverty reduction and rural transformation in China.

Brendan Hoare from New Zealand, visited Datong for the first time and praised the local organic food. He was pleasantly surprised by the climate and scenery, which reminded him of his homeland, offering a sense of comfort and familiarity.

Since its inception in 2014, the Datong Chehe Organic Agriculture Forum has become an international platform for promoting innovative development, injecting new momentum into the standardization and greening of organic agriculture.