Beijing, July 14, 2025 — Global agrifood systems face unprecedented stress from climate disruptions, trade volatility, and health crises. Against this backdrop, the "WAFI Dialogue" convened key stakeholders at China Agricultural University to chart collaborative solutions. Hosted by Professor Shenggen Fan (Dean, Academy of Global Food Economics and Policy(AGFEP); Executive Chair, WAFI Advisory Committee), the session featured a strategic exchange between Dominic Waughray (Executive Vice President, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)), and Song Weiping (President of leading agribusiness, DABEINONG Group).

WAFI Dialogue on July 14, 2025

The Resilience Imperative

Professor Fan opened with a stark assessment: "Heatwaves, geopolitical friction, and pandemic risks demand fundamental rethinking of food supply chains."

Opening Remark from Professor Shenggen Fan

He highlighted China’s significant commitment to agrifood innovation, noting that from 2012–2022, the country’s agrifood R&D funding surpassed combined investments by the European Union and the United States. This foundation, he argued, positions the 2025 World AgriFood Innovation Conference (WAFI2025, October 12–15) as a critical platform for global cooperation.

Corporate Innovation in Action

President Song Weiping detailed DBN Group’s multipronged approach to sustainability. Central to their strategy is biotechnology—leveraging gene editing and synthetic biology to develop stress-tolerant crops, eco-friendly feed additives, and disease-resistant livestock breeds.

Song Weiping, President of DBN Group

"The ‘Big Food Concept’ compels us to broaden protein sources and reimagine food production," he stated. Examples included their digitally managed organic dairy farm in Inner Mongolia, which integrates precision feeding and emissions monitoring, and global partnerships advancing bio-manufactured nutritional products.

Global Coalitions Driving Change

President Dominic Waughray emphasized the catalytic role of organizations like WBCSD, whose 250 member companies represent 25% of global market revenue. "We’re mobilizing cross-sector action on regenerative agriculture and supply chain decarbonization," he explained. He particularly endorsed China’s progress in agricultural biotechnology, suggesting its successes in solar energy and electric vehicles could inspire similar breakthroughs in sustainable agrifood sector. "Bridging Chinese innovation to global markets is essential," he added, pledging WBCSD’s support for knowledge exchange.

Dominic Waughray, EVP of WBCSD

Technology as a Catalyst

During discussions on frontier solutions, both leaders underscored technology’s transformative potential. President Song Weiping emphasized the convergence of AI and biotechnology: "Machine learning accelerates precision breeding and optimizes equipment efficiency—key to intelligent, resource-efficient farming." President Dominic Waughray cited real-world impact through "disintermediation," describing how African smallholders use AI-powered image analysis via smartphones to receive instant crop diagnostics, reducing input waste and boosting yields. Both agreed that technological advances must align with inclusive policies to ensure equitable access.

Q&A Session

Road to WAFI2025

Looking ahead, President Song reaffirmed DBN’s commitment to WAFI as a catalyst for academia-industry synergy: "This conference sparks the ideas that redefine agricultural transformation." President Waughray envisioned the conference becoming "the Davos of agrifood innovation," convening businesses, scientists, policymakers, and financiers to scale solutions. Professor Fan closed by framing the dialogue as a foundation for WAFI2025’s ambitious agenda: "Our shared goal is actionable strategies for shock-proof, sustainable food systems."

President Dominic Waughray, Prof. Shenggen Dan, President Song Weiping

The "WAFI Dialogue" series advances global agrifood innovation through knowledge exchange, culminating in the annual World AgriFood Innovation Conference (WAFI2025, October 12–15, Beijing).