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China’s floriculture sector reached a major milestone on 8 December with the official opening of the Beijing International Flower Industrial Park.

The inauguration ceremony brought together around 100 representatives from across the national flower industry, underlining the project’s significance for both domestic and international markets.

Situated in Panggezhuang Town, Daxing District, the park spans 552.6 mu (approximately 36.84 hectares) and is equipped with 60,000 square metres of state-of-the-art greenhouses. Designed as a next-generation floriculture hub, the park aims to integrate “innovation and R&D + production demonstration + digital trade + cultural tourism experience,” with a strong emphasis on bulb flowers for research, cultivation and global trade.

The park’s strategic location enhances its role as a gateway for international flower commerce. Just 20 minutes from Beijing Daxing International Airport and close to the Jingkai Expressway, it offers efficient logistics for both imports and exports. A number of leading domestic and international flower companies have already established a presence, creating a vibrant ecosystem for collaboration, innovation and commercial growth.

Looking ahead, the park plans to introduce more premium international flower varieties while actively promoting distinctive Chinese local breeds to overseas markets. This dual strategy is expected to strengthen China’s competitiveness in the global floriculture industry and support domestic enterprises in expanding internationally.

The opening was marked by a Home Gardening Forum, where industry experts and business leaders shared insights on popular ornamental plants including Phalaenopsis, Amaryllis, Paphiopedilum and Rhododendron. Together, these initiatives position the park as a key driver of innovation, trade and sustainable growth in China’s rapidly evolving flower industry.

The Philippines has taken a decisive step toward strengthening its position in global aquaculture with the launch of its largest crayfish nursery—a flagship development designed to scale production of the high-value Australian Redclaw crayfish.

The project, built through the partnership of Farm Fresh Early Catch Inc., Taiwan’s Da Shin Biotech Ltd., and the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), marks a defining moment for the country’s fast-growing aquaculture sector.

The new nursery will focus on mass-producing Cherax quadricarinatus, a resilient and fast-growing species prized by both domestic and international markets. Government officials say the initiative supports national efforts to strengthen food security while boosting long-term livelihood opportunities in rural areas.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., in remarks delivered by Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa, highlighted the power of collaboration behind the facility. “Built through the partnership of Farm Fresh Early Catch Inc., Da Shin Biotech, and the DA-BFAR, this nursery shows that when government, private innovators, and fisherfolk come together, progress stops being a dream—it becomes our shared reality,” he said.

Tiu Laurel added that crayfish aquaculture “opens new doors for our fisherfolk—bringing in more income, more livelihood, and more food on our tables,” while underscoring the need for responsible production and adherence to BFAR’s ecological protection guidelines. Every pond, he said, must “nurture care, discipline, and respect for the balance of our ecosystems.”

Situated in Candaba - a wetlands area renowned for its freshwater abundance—the 1,280-square-metre facility features 16 tanks capable of producing up to 48,000 fry every two weeks. It also introduces advanced water-recycling systems that help reduce waste and conserve freshwater, addressing one of the most common environmental criticisms of aquaculture operations.

The nursery will supply Farm Fresh’s existing 3-hectare grow-out ponds, which already produce around 30 tonnes of market-ready crayfish each year. It will also support a broad network of partner growers as production expands nationwide.

From 2026, Farm Fresh plans to roll out large-scale grow-out operations covering 1,500 hectares in Luzon and 750 hectares each in the Visayas and Mindanao. When these sites reach full capacity, they are projected to deliver more than 1,200 tonnes of crayfish every six months—volumes that could position the Philippines as a competitive player in the regional and global aquaculture market.

Crayfish provide a nutrient-dense, low-impact protein source that requires minimal feed. The project is expected to generate over 3,000 direct jobs and stimulate additional enterprise in farming communities.

The launch marks the beginning of a world-class crayfish industry designed to place the Philippines firmly on the global aquaculture map.

The Malaysian government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national food security by allocating US$50mn under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) to continue the Technology Development, Mechanisation and Automation Modernisation Programme (TMA).

The funding is aimed at accelerating the adoption of modern farming technologies and boosting productivity across the country’s agri-food sector.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the allocation reflects a broader strategy to modernise agriculture through innovation, automation and digital transformation. The programme will place strong emphasis on Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI), positioning Malaysia’s farming sector for long-term resilience and competitiveness.

“This initiative will be continued through TMA with an allocation of RM50 million, along with the addition of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve productivity and early warning systems,” he said in the Dewan Negara.

Mohamad was responding to a question from Senator Puan Rita Sarimah Anak Patrick Insol on measures to improve mechanisation levels and technological innovation, particularly among small and medium-scale farmers. He explained that the initiative falls under Strategic Thrust 1 of the National Agri-Food Policy 2021–2030 (DAN 2.0), which prioritises smart farming and agricultural modernisation as pillars of food security.

“KPKM is always working to take transformative steps to strengthen the nation’s food security, including through the use of modern technology to increase productivity,” he added.

Efforts to enhance mechanisation span the entire agricultural value chain, from research and development to field-level implementation, while also strengthening the supporting ecosystem. The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) has developed mechanisation and automation solutions for crops including chilli, ginger, watermelon, pineapple and paddy, with 200 farmers already trained under these technology packages. Plans are underway to scale up adoption further, involving 50 additional farmers by 2027.

Support for mechanisation was also extended under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), with investments in tractors, combine harvesters, transplanters and agricultural drones to boost service capacity across agencies under the ministry. These services are then made available to small and medium farmers at more affordable rates.

The Farmers’ Organisation Authority is complementing these efforts through a matching grant scheme that enables registered members to acquire small and medium machinery, including drones and specialised agricultural equipment. Under 13MP, the authority will roll out the Paddy Initiative, Transfer of Technology and Resilient (Pintar) programme, focusing on machinery ownership to improve yields and address labour shortages.

To ease financial barriers, Agrobank is expanding access to low-cost financing, including the Agri-Food Financing Fund 2025 and the Agri-Food Value Chain Modernisation Programme 2025, both offering attractive rates to encourage technology adoption.

Mohamad said initiatives such as Mardi’s Technology Showcase (Showtech), the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) and the National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen’s Day (HPPNK) will continue to drive awareness and inclusivity, as the ministry works to build a more efficient, competitive and future-ready agricultural sector.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) has designated seven provinces Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Jeollanam-do as the first-ever “Green Bio Industry Promotion Zones” in accordance with Article 15 of the Act on the Promotion of the Green Bio Industry.

This milestone marks a significant step in the Republic of Korea’s strategy to strengthen its green bioeconomy and drive sustainable industrial growth.

Introduced for the first time this year, the Green Bio Industry Promotion Zone system is designed to establish a comprehensive, region-led framework for business support. The initiative is built around provincial hubs where green bio companies, universities, research institutes, and essential infrastructure for technology verification and certification are closely integrated. Through this clustered approach, local governments are expected to play a leading role in nurturing innovation, accelerating technology transfer, and supporting market-ready solutions.

The selected zones were evaluated and designated following a rigorous assessment process. Key criteria included industrial growth potential, implementation capacity, policy relevance, and overall feasibility. This ensures that each province is well positioned to contribute effectively to the national green bio strategy while leveraging its own regional strengths and resources.

The green-bio industry itself is regarded as a next-generation growth engine, encompassing six major sectors: microorganisms, natural products, food materials, insects, seeds, and veterinary medical products. With the designation of the Green Bio Industry Development Zones, collaboration networks among provinces are expected to deepen. In parallel, processes for verification, evaluation, certification, and commercialisation of green bio technologies and products are set to accelerate, helping to create a dynamic and competitive innovation ecosystem.

MAFRA plans to support the designated provinces by granting eligibility to participate in government-funded infrastructure development projects, including the Green Bio Venture Campus and advanced biofoundries. In addition, policy incentives will be provided to companies operating within the zones, further encouraging private-sector participation and investment in sustainable bio-based industries.

To ensure accountability and continuous improvement, MAFRA will receive quarterly performance reports from the local governments managing the designated zones. Annual performance evaluations will also be conducted to closely monitor implementation progress. Importantly, the results of these evaluations will be reflected in the formulation of policies for the following year, reinforcing a results-driven and adaptive governance approach.

Through these measures, the ROK aims to position itself at the forefront of green bio innovation, fostering regional development while advancing a resilient, sustainable bioeconomy aligned with global green growth trends.