At the Third Organic Districts World Congress and the 12th Datong Chehe International Organic Agriculture Forum, held in Lingqiu on Aug 26, more than 150 experts from 25 countries, including Italy, Germany and Indonesia, gathered to explore how holistic organic agriculture could drive high-quality economic development.

The conference focused on the role of organic agriculture in addressing environmental challenges such as climate change and soil degradation. It emphasized the use of eco-friendly technologies to achieve ecological restoration and stable production, offering sustainable agricultural solutions for arid regions.

Patrick Deegbe, an entrepreneur from Switzerland and a participant in the conference, said that he was impressed by the agriculture project developed in Chehe. The village is transforming into an organic community and helping its residents shake off poverty, he said. The model can be introduced to African countries such as Ghana, he added.

In his speech at the opening ceremony, Liu Junyi, mayor of Datong which administers Lingqiu, said that since 2013, Lingqiu has been using organic agriculture as a strategic pivot to drive industrial transformation and promote rural development. Starting with the Chehe community as a pilot, they have advanced the construction of "organic production, organic society, and organic community", exploring a new path for agricultural development in the northern Shanxi region.

"In the future, Datong will continue to deepen international exchanges and cooperation, promoting further progress and achievements in the development of organic agriculture," he said.

Zhou Zejiang, president of the Advisory Board of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements-Asia, said that Chehe's success story was a testament to the power of organic agriculture as a bridge connecting diverse communities, governments, businesses and traditional farming wisdom with innovative ideas.

"Chehe was once a poor mountain village. Now, it stands as a model of agricultural and cultural richness, a testament to the collective efforts of its people," he said.

Contact the writers at zhuxingxin@chinadaily.com.cn