On the basis of 3 successful training sessions on agricultural product supply chain management, and upon the request of the Chinese partners, the Small Farmers Adapting to Global Market (SFAGM) Project and China Academy for Rural Development (CARD), Zhejiang University once again joined hands to host “The 4th High-level Training Workshop on Agricultural Product Supply Chain Management” from November 26 to December 2, 2007.

The 30 participants to this training class included not only representatives from the SFAGM project sites in Sichuan and Inner Mongolia, but also representatives from other provinces in Western China, like Gansu, Xinjiang, Hunan and Hubei provinces, which was an evidence of broadened project influence. The main purpose of this training was to change people’s awareness, promote the supply chain management of agricultural products, increase the small farmers’ efficiency of production and promote the development of rural economy in Western China.

At the training workshop, Dr. Kevin Chen, manager of the SFAGM Project, introduced the changing food system and its challenges in his presentation entitled “A General Survey of Structural Change of the Food System”. Dr. Zhou Jiehong, associate professor from Management School, Zhejiang University, introduced the logistic transportation of agricultural products. Prof. Huang Zuhui, who came from Rural Development Research Center of Zhejiang University, made a special report on “How Small Farmers Adapt to Markets”. Prof. Lu Boxiang, who came from Management School, Zhejiang University, introduced the new concepts of modern marketing of agricultural products, and Dr. Guo Hongdong introduced how to manage a farmers’ co-operative. Mr. Zhang Dawei, departmental manager in charge of fresh products supply for China Resources Vanguard Supermarket (Hangzhou), introduced how to manage the business operation and purchasing of fresh agricultural products for a supermarket.

Apart from in-class teaching, the workshop also arranged field visits. It organized the trainees to visit Nongdu Agricultural Product Wholesale Market in Zhejiang Province, Yuhang Hi-tech Agricultural Demonstration Center in Hangzhou City, and Professional Cooperatives for Pear Production in Zhongshan Township, Tonglu County. Through the field visits, the trainees gained a deeper understanding of the supply chain management of agricultural products.