On 21-22 September 2007, China-Canada Small Farmers Adapting to Global Markets Project (SFAGM) held a training workshop on quality safety of canola in Santai County, Sichuan Province. The main contents of this training include: a general survey of agriculture and canola industry in Canada, Canada’s experience of establishing the quality standard for canola, the quick testing method for canola, as well as the results achieved by the SFAGM project in improving the supply chain of canola and the quality safety control of canola in Santai.

A total of some 80 persons — government officials, canola technology extension workers, representatives of canola processing enterprises, members of canola associations and representatives of piloting households from 9 counties (districts) like Anxian County, Zitong County and Youxian District in Mianyang City, attended this training. Dr. Rex Newkirk, a canola expert from Canadian International Grains Institute, and Dr. Wang Ruojun, a teacher from China Agricultural University, gave lectures in their special fields.

This training achieved a good effect. The participants learned the situation of canola industrial development in Canada, learnt the canola quick testing technologies and methods, and analyzed the factors that restricted the development of canola in the Mianyang area, as well as the measures for improvement. The participants unanimously agreed that this training has enabled them to share Santai’s experience of developing the canola supply chain, as well as its achievements in the quality safety control of canola, which will promote the development of canola industry in Mianyang in a better way.