On July 11, 30+ global scholars from Wageningen University & Research, University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Technology Sydney, China Agricultural University, and Peking University gathered in Pinggu, Beijing - not just to study agriculture, but to live its evolution. Supported by World AgriFood Innovation (WAFI) Conference Secretariat, Shangzhai Museum, and industry pioneers, this immersive journey bridged 7,000 years of heritage with tomorrow's tech.

Day Highlights - Where Roots Meet Revolution
WAFI Grove

At WAFI’s carbon-neutral grove (in partnership with the Pinggu District Government) by Jinhai Lake, scholars adopted the grove’s first Ginkgo and pine trees - symbolizing their commitment to sustainable futures. Amidst this living lab, Prof. Zeng Yelu’s team unveiled drone-powered carbon mapping, proving reforestation and data can drive real climate action.

Scholars and the WAFI Secretariat in front of the WAFI Grove

Prof. Zeng Yelu's team demonstrating drone carbon mapping

Scholars adopting trees at WAFI Grove

Scholars adopting trees at WAFI Grove

Scholars adopting trees at WAFI Grove

Shangzhai Cultural Museum: Echoes of Neolithic Ingenuity

In China’s first Neolithic-specialized museum (discovered in 1987), 7,000-year-old farming tools – polished stone axes, compound blades, seed-grinding plates, and fire-preserving pottery – revealed a timeless truth: "Farmers have always been humanity's first innovators. "One scholar reflected: "These artifacts whisper how farmers transformed land and society."

Scholars and WAFI Secretariat in front of the Shangzhai Cultural Museum

Director of the museum introducing Shangzhai Cultural

Jingwa Center: Pinggu's Agricultural Innovation Hub

As a co-creation hub with CAU, Jingwa demonstrated its global innovation framework, including the Strategic Research Innovation Agenda and the Young Agriscientist Program.

Scholars at Jingwa Center

Jingwa Fruit & Dairy Demo Parks

In these Integrated tech platforms for precision agriculture, Dr. Wang Jin and Dr. Long Shenfei unveiled AI-optimized orchards/dairies merging dwarf rootstocks, robotic milking, and manure-to-energy systems with Wageningen University’s research. "Where ancient cultivation meets algorithm-driven precision," noted Dr. Wang Jin.

Dairy Demo Park

Dairy Demo Park

Fruit Demo Park

Yukou Poultry

Yukou Poultry is a national high-tech enterprise supplying 50% of China’s eggs. Scholars analyzed Asia’s first digital poultry showcase, where IoT systems track 20,000+ hens – exemplifying homegrown tech sovereignty.

Yukou Poultry

DeePro Tech

Biotech pioneer in alternative proteins: After Dr. Kang Dingrong delivered a presentation on sustainable protein, scholars sampled plant-based innovations that seamlessly bridge food security with culinary science.

Dr. Kang's presentation on sustainable protein

Tasting the plant-based product

WAFI Youth Dialogue - AI Empowers Agri-Tech Innovation

Co-hosted by Prof. Shenggen Fan (WAFI) and Dr. Kenneth Quinn (World Food Prize Foundation), bringing together six outstanding young scholars, including Ke Li (China Agricultural University), Wangyipu Li (Peking University), Gonzalo Mier Muñoz (Wageningen University & Research), Jake Kruse (University of Wisconsin–Madison), AA Gede Yudhi Paramartha (University of Technology Sydney), and Daphne Kitsou (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), the dialogue created a soft environment to make scholars discuss the role of AI in agricultural technology innovation.

These young scholars  engaged in in-depth discussions and shared several groundbreaking insights in their research interests. These key insights encompassed innovative applications such as AI-driven irrigation systems, crop land monitoring by chlorophyll fluorescence, field robots designed, precision carbon sequestration technology, and the establishment of ethical frameworks to facilitate smallholder farmers' adoption of AI technologies. Dr. Quinn delivered a profoundly resonant charge during the dialogue, stating, "If one seed can change the world – as Yuan Longping proved – one AI innovation could save it. Remember: food is peace."

In the closing remarks, Prof. Fan emphasized, "AI amplifies human creativity; it doesn’t replace it. Our goal isn’t automation – it’s liberation through tools."

Ambassador Quinn, Prof. Shenggen Fan and six global scholars

Sowing Tomorrow’s Harvest

From Shangzhai’s stone plows to drone-mapped forests, this journey revealed agriculture’s unbroken thread: innovation rooted in responsibility. China Agricultural University’s 2025 A5+N Summer School explored innovation in action. As WAFI2025 approaches (Oct 12-15, Beijing), themed "Resilient Food Supply For Agrifood Systems Transformation," we honor partners who helped plant these seeds of cross-generational wisdom.

The World AgriFood Innovation Conference aims to catalyze transformative change in agrifood systems by promoting pioneering innovations, fostering high-level dialogue among policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and researchers, and enhancing international collaboration.