Eleven journalists representing ten countries recently took part in an eight day trip to China. The group experienced Beijing, Changzhou and Shanghai, meeting farmers, cooperative members, and industry professionals from companies like their sponsor, AGCO and DeLaval.

Small, family-driven farms mean China’s agricutlure struggles behind most western countries. However, the country is taking great leaps in its use of technology, IT and management tools. In some ways the Chinese have surpassed North America and Europe, repots Liza Karlsson, and journalist who took part in the trip.

“Joining an E4D tour gives you a really unique opportunity to explore and learn about a nation, its people, food production and agricultural challenges and opportunities,” Karlsson writes. “At the same time you get to know agricultural journalists from other countries – this year Austria, Australia, USA, Canada, Belgium, Spain, Norway, Finland, UK and Sweden were represented. You get new knowledge, new friends and you get a lot of new stories to write when you get back home. In many ways, it is a life changing experience.”

In addition to their agricultural stops, the journalists also explored the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City.