Yili's Innovative Dairy Symbiosis Model Unveiled at FAO Global Conference
At the inaugural global conference on One Health in agri-food systems, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Yili Group presented its innovative Chinese dairy symbiosis model, which encompasses the entire value chain of dairy production. This initiative, termed "One Health," aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of humanity, animals, and ecosystems. Additionally, the FAO's RENOFARM initiative, launched in 2024, supports this vision.
During the session titled "RENOFARM in Action," Yili's Vice President, Xu Ke, illustrated three compelling examples that demonstrate the interconnectivity of healthy ecosystems, precision agriculture, and shared growth throughout the dairy value chain.
One of the remarkable initiatives showcased by Yili involves the restoration of degraded lands in the Ar Horqin Banner of Inner Mongolia. Historically, these areas suffered from severe land degradation, negatively impacting local herders. Yili's innovative pasture-livestock integration approach has been tailored to local environmental conditions and natural processes. The cultivation of alfalfa, a deep-rooted protein-rich plant, has played a pivotal role in stabilizing soils and rehabilitating approximately 55,000 mu (around 3,667 hectares) of degraded pastureland. This rejuvenated landscape now supports ecosystem regeneration while providing high-quality forage, thereby creating a sustainable cycle where pasture revitalizes the land, feeds livestock, and, in return, dairy production enhances the ecosystem.
Improving animal welfare through science-driven management practices stands out as a key priority in the dairy sector. At Yili's smart ecological farm in Chilechuan, modernized breeding technologies have been implemented to ensure cows' health and well-being throughout their life cycle. Innovations such as automated temperature control, health monitoring via IoT, and precision nutrition tailored to each growth stage contribute significantly to maintaining the quality of raw milk. Yili has been repeatedly recognized with the FAO's Contribution Award for Social Responsibility, particularly for its commitment to animal welfare and precision agriculture. In 2026, the FAO designated the smart ecological farm in Chilechuan as a RENOFARM Farm 5Gs Pilot Champion, underscoring its exemplary practices.
Historically, many dairy farmers in various Chinese provinces faced challenges such as low dairy yields, limited technical skills, and poor income levels. To address these issues, in 2014, Yili collaborated with the FAO to establish Dairy Farmer Field Schools, providing hands-on training directly at farms. Yili's specialists assist farmers in identifying health risks in their herds, optimizing feeding regimens, and developing personalized modernization plans for their farms, backed by financial support and technical assistance. Over the past decade, Yili has supported over 5.6 million herders in Inner Mongolia, enabling them to significantly increase their earnings and expand their dairy enterprises. As a result, dairy farming scale has grown over tenfold, and daily milk production has doubled.
"Prosperity is not a solo performance but a symphony," stated Pan Gang, the Chairman of Yili Group. Looking forward, Yili aims to strengthen its collaboration with the FAO and its global partners under the One Health approach, promoting high-quality development across the global dairy sector and agri-food systems, ultimately contributing to the health of people, animals, and ecosystems alike.
During the session titled "RENOFARM in Action," Yili's Vice President, Xu Ke, illustrated three compelling examples that demonstrate the interconnectivity of healthy ecosystems, precision agriculture, and shared growth throughout the dairy value chain.
Transforming Deserts into Oases through Nature Restoration
One of the remarkable initiatives showcased by Yili involves the restoration of degraded lands in the Ar Horqin Banner of Inner Mongolia. Historically, these areas suffered from severe land degradation, negatively impacting local herders. Yili's innovative pasture-livestock integration approach has been tailored to local environmental conditions and natural processes. The cultivation of alfalfa, a deep-rooted protein-rich plant, has played a pivotal role in stabilizing soils and rehabilitating approximately 55,000 mu (around 3,667 hectares) of degraded pastureland. This rejuvenated landscape now supports ecosystem regeneration while providing high-quality forage, thereby creating a sustainable cycle where pasture revitalizes the land, feeds livestock, and, in return, dairy production enhances the ecosystem.
Enhancing Cow Welfare and Dairy Output
Improving animal welfare through science-driven management practices stands out as a key priority in the dairy sector. At Yili's smart ecological farm in Chilechuan, modernized breeding technologies have been implemented to ensure cows' health and well-being throughout their life cycle. Innovations such as automated temperature control, health monitoring via IoT, and precision nutrition tailored to each growth stage contribute significantly to maintaining the quality of raw milk. Yili has been repeatedly recognized with the FAO's Contribution Award for Social Responsibility, particularly for its commitment to animal welfare and precision agriculture. In 2026, the FAO designated the smart ecological farm in Chilechuan as a RENOFARM Farm 5Gs Pilot Champion, underscoring its exemplary practices.
Increasing Farmers' Incomes Through Knowledge Sharing
Historically, many dairy farmers in various Chinese provinces faced challenges such as low dairy yields, limited technical skills, and poor income levels. To address these issues, in 2014, Yili collaborated with the FAO to establish Dairy Farmer Field Schools, providing hands-on training directly at farms. Yili's specialists assist farmers in identifying health risks in their herds, optimizing feeding regimens, and developing personalized modernization plans for their farms, backed by financial support and technical assistance. Over the past decade, Yili has supported over 5.6 million herders in Inner Mongolia, enabling them to significantly increase their earnings and expand their dairy enterprises. As a result, dairy farming scale has grown over tenfold, and daily milk production has doubled.
"Prosperity is not a solo performance but a symphony," stated Pan Gang, the Chairman of Yili Group. Looking forward, Yili aims to strengthen its collaboration with the FAO and its global partners under the One Health approach, promoting high-quality development across the global dairy sector and agri-food systems, ultimately contributing to the health of people, animals, and ecosystems alike.
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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