BGI Group Enhances Agricultural Collaboration at CGIAR Science Week 2025

In April 2025, a delegation from BGI Group, spearheaded by its Co-founder and Chairman Wang Jian, was present at the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Science Week held in Nairobi, Kenya. The event focused on advancing agricultural growth and food security through collaborative efforts in research and technology.

During the CGIAR conference, Wang Jian engaged in discussions with CGIAR's Executive Managing Director, Ismahane Elouafi. Their conversations explored the latest developments in agricultural scientific technology and emphasized a collective ambition to foster closer cooperation in research initiatives aimed at solving pressing global food challenges. Elouafi acknowledged the significant role that Chinese institutions, especially BGI Group, play in enhancing Sino-African agricultural collaboration under the South-South cooperation framework.

Wang stressed the necessity of strengthening South-South cooperation to accelerate methods of crop breeding and improve global food security. He showcased BGI Group's leading sequencing technologies and artificial intelligence applications, which are poised to revolutionize the management of germplasm resources globally, thus accelerating agricultural and food system transformations through international partnerships.

In the company of Xu Xun, the Executive Director of BGI Group and Director of BGI-Research, the event further highlighted the importance of such collaborations in expediting the digitalization of germplasm resources. They underscored how joint efforts with CGIAR could significantly bolster the resilience of food systems, particularly in developing nations. Xu emphasized the crucial role of BGI's genomic technologies and advanced agricultural platforms in the breeding of crops that can withstand climatic pressures.

To enhance opportunities in agriculture and biodiversity conservation, BGI Group and CGIAR co-organized a thematic side event that attracted a diverse group of over 100 international experts. This gathering provided a platform for discussions on agricultural genomics, AI-assisted breeding techniques, and the innovative concept of perennial rice. BGI's goal was to showcase emerging technologies, particularly multi-omic solutions that could greatly impact agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Wang Jian highlighted BGI's initiatives to partner with African agricultural institutions in promoting perennial rice—a groundbreaking crop characterized by its high yields and resistance to drought and diseases. This pioneering crop is currently being introduced in key African nations, including Uganda, Rwanda, and Madagascar, as part of efforts to combat food insecurity and malnutrition in the region.

Additionally, Xu Xun presented a talk titled "Agricultural Genomics and Game-Changing Innovations," detailing BGI's contributions to the African Orphan Crops Consortium, which is under the auspices of the African Union. This collaboration emphasizes the importance of genomic applications in improving lesser-known crops that are vital for food systems in Africa.

The fruitful exchanges and commitments made during CGIAR Science Week signify a promising future for agritech collaborations aimed at strengthening food security and sustainability across the globe. BGI Group remains dedicated to harnessing scientific innovation to drive transformative changes in agricultural practices and enhance food resilience worldwide.