Earlier in December, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Zhejiang University jointly released “The Digital Agriculture Report - Rural E-Commerce Development Experience from China.”

Cover of “The Digital Agriculture Report - Rural E-Commerce Development Experience from China” released jointly by FAO and Zhejiang University.

The report summarizes the history, models, case studies and analysis of e-commerce in China.

It explores the role of rural e-commerce in transforming the agri-food systems in China, through the development of an innovative ecosystem that has led to market integration for agricultural producers and rural populations, improving incomes and reducing poverty.

The report stresses that an enabling ecosystem with favorable government policies and strategies, public-private partnerships and innovative business models is of great importance to accelerating the development of rural China, and generating larger economic, social and environmental impacts.

China is the largest developing country in the world, and its experience of digital agriculture transformation could be shared with other developing nations, according to the report.

The report also covers challenges and lessons during the rural e-commerce development, as well as proposals for the way forward.