From January 17 to 22, 2008, the capacity building training for government staff was held in Wuchuan pilot site under Small Farmers Adapting to Global Markets (SFAGM). It is expected to improve the administration abilities of the local officials in the pilot areas of the Project so as to ensure standardized services to local farmers. The trainees come from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Sichuan Province respectively. There are altogether 56 local officials taking part in the training with 22 females. The trainers are invited from Tsinghua University, China Academy of Social Sciences and Research Center for Planning of Ministry of Agriculture.

Research Fellow Zhao Jingxing with China Academy of Social Sciences gave a lecture on methodology of macro-economy analysis and the current situation of China's macro-economy while his colleague, Research Fellow Li Qing made a presentation on the formation of regional economy and how to keep a competitive edge on regional economy. Professor Liu Guangling of Tsinghua University informed the trainees with elementary knowledge of modern management and the art of leadership. Cheng Peng, Consultant and Co-partner of Alliance PKU Management Consultants Ltd., provided the officials with strategy/project planning and methods/tools for realization of strategy/project. Dr. Xiao Yunlai with Research Center for Planning of Ministry of Agriculture taught the audience the result-oriented approach of project management and equipped them with the experience of China and Canada in planning agricultural industry development. Gu Yikang, the deputy director of Zhejiang Province¡¯s Countryside and Agriculture Office, told the trainees what they do in the development of countryside and local agriculture and what role the local government plays in the rural economic development.

The training has received good feedback from all the trainees. In their opinions, the training has helped them to open their mind and improve their ability to make decisions in a scientific way. It is conducive for them to deal with the real issues of agriculture, countryside and farmers so as to facilitate the construction of a harmonious society in the local area.