February 24-the launch ceremony and the first members' assembly of the China Association of Agricultural Mechanization was held in Beijing, with Han Qide, Vice President of the Standing Committee of NPC unveiling the organization.
In his letter of congratulations, the Agricultural Minister Han Changfu said that agro-mechanization was an important symbol of agricultural modernization. The establishment of the association was in line with the development of agro-mechanization in China. It would help to pool the strength from all sides to promote the scientific development of this endeavor. Besides, the association would also meet the need to upgrade modern agricultural machinery and transform the pattern of agricultural development. The Minister hoped that the association could fully implement the scientific outlook of development, be service-oriented, enhance self-discipline, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its members, promote exchanges, and serve as the bond linking government with the industry.
In his speech, Vice Agricultural Minister Zhang Taolin pointed out that since 1949, particularly since the reform and opening up, China had witnessed rapid development in agricultural equipment, and an overall improvement in agro-machinery operation. China's manufacturing capacity of agro-machinery had been evidently enhanced, with growing service providers in this sector. It had been demonstrated by practice that agro-mechanization had effectively raised productivity, land output rate, and utilization efficiency of resources, contributing hugely to the construction of new socialist rural areas.
The Vice Minister further remarked that at the moment, agro-mechanization was faced with a rare historical opportunity. Thanks to internal power for growth and supportive policies, China's agro-mechanization would have more intensive and extensive development.
The first members' assembly adopted the charter for the association and the management regulation on membership fees. The first council and leading officials of the association were also elected, with Vice Minister Zhang Taolin as the President, Ma Shiqing as the Executive Vice President and Chief of the China Agricultural Machinery Testing Center (MOA) Liu Min as the Vice President and the Secretary-General.
It is learned that the association is a comprehensive social organization covering the whole industry of agro-mechanization. Its predecessor was the China Agro-Machinery Testing Association established in 1993. In 1999, it was officially renamed as the Chinese Association of Agricultural Mechanization, and placed under the administration of MOA Department of Agricultural Mechanization Administration, and affiliated to the China Agricultural Machinery Testing Center. Its members include organizations and individuals engaged with the education, research, testing, certifying, extension, supervision, repair and maintenance, and social service of agricultural mechanization. The scope of operation is identified as providing publicity on laws and policies of agricultural mechanization, setting up industrial rules, offering technical consultation, participating in the drafting and revision of industrial standards, organizing industrial technical training, holding exhibitions, and carry out international exchanges.
