Scientific co-operation between Brazil and China has entered a new chapter with the start of a technological exchange aimed at donkey breeding and milk production. The initiative involves the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), the Federal University of Agreste de Pernambuco (UFAPE) and the Department of Animal Science and Technology at China Agricultural University, one of the oldest agricultural educational institutions in the Asian country.

Between 9 and 17 January, Brazilian professors visited Chinese universities, research centres and farms specialising in donkey breeding and fattening. During the mission, Chinese students and researchers were presented with the advances made in Brazil in the areas of equine reproduction and donkey milk management, research carried out mainly in the semi-arid northeast.

According to Professor Jorge Lucena, from UFAPE, the visit highlighted the economic potential of the activity. "In China, the milk production chain is a fundamental pillar for sustaining the meat chain, as it provides male and female animals for slaughter, as is the case with cattle in Brazil. The farms have advanced milking technologies. It is a production system that contributes decisively to the population sustainability of the species," he points out.

(Source: AgroRevenda, on 28 January)