Latest news with #VincentMartin
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pinduoduo, FAO Hold Global Digital Agriculture Bootcamp for Young Innovators in China
DALI, China, June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A group of young entrepreneurs from eight countries have completed a three-day digital agriculture bootcamp in Yunnan province, part of a global effort to equip the next generation of agrifood leaders with the skills and tools needed to solve real-world farming challenges. The Digital Agriculture Innovation Bootcamp, co-hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Zhejiang University, and e-commerce platform Pinduoduo, brought together 18 startup founders for hands-on training and field research. All participants were previous winners of the Global AgriInno Challenge, an FAO-led competition recognizing youth-led innovation in agriculture. "At FAO, we believe that youth-led innovation powered by emerging technologies and Digital Public Infrastructure can play a transformative role in building more climate-resilient, efficient, and equitable agrifood systems," said Vincent Martin, director of the FAO Office of Innovation. The bootcamp builds on the momentum of past competitions and is part of Pinduoduo's ongoing campaign to drive agricultural modernization through digital tools and scientific innovation. The program was split into two parts. The Yunnan leg, held in the ancient village of Gusheng in Dali, gave participants firsthand exposure to how digital agriculture is being deployed at the grassroots level. Entrepreneurs conducted interviews with local farmers, visited "Science and Technology Courtyards," or field-based research stations, and observed smart farming initiatives aimed at improving soil health and reducing chemical use. "Mechanized planting and modern practices are transforming local agriculture," said Robinson, a startup founder from Peru who took part in the bootcamp. "Seeing firsthand how digital tools are improving efficiency and sustainability has been incredibly valuable." The first part of the bootcamp was held at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, where participants were introduced to innovation tools such as stakeholder mapping, needs assessment, and startup fundraising. Experts from FAO, Pinduoduo, and top agricultural universities shared practical strategies for scaling agri-tech solutions in smallholder contexts. Back in Dali, participants learned how local farmers use app-based platforms to order fertilizer tailored to their crop and soil profiles. One pilot program has reportedly reduced nitrogen and phosphorus runoff into nearby Erhai Lake by more than 30%. "This exchange gave me new ways to think about adoption," said Robinson, the startup founder. "Farmers won't pay for innovation—they'll pay for solutions that improve their lives." For Pinduoduo, the bootcamp is part of a long-term commitment to agricultural development. The company has continuously supported initiatives such as the Global AgriInno Challenge, the Science and Technology Courtyard Competition, and now this bootcamp, all under its mission to strengthen agriculture through digital commerce and technology. In April, Pinduoduo announced a new RMB 100 billion support plan to deepen investment in farmer support and agri-tech innovation. Agricultural research, talent development, and technology promotion are core parts of the strategy. The company said it will continue using its digital platform to improve productivity at the source of the supply chain and support rural revitalization efforts. "Innovation technology is the wind, data empowerment is the rain, and multidisciplinary talent is the plow. Together, they drive modern agriculture forward," said Hou Kaidi, vice president at Pinduoduo. "In the next three years, we will continue to leverage the company's digital platform and resources to support global agricultural talent development and innovation, allowing the fruits of science and technology to take root in the fields and energize rural revitalization." FAO said it will continue building its global network of Digital Agriculture Innovation Hubs, linking governments, academia, the private sector and farmers to fast-track sustainable transformation in food systems worldwide. SOURCE Pinduoduo Sign in to access your portfolio
Cision Canada
6 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Pinduoduo, FAO Hold Global Digital Agriculture Bootcamp for Young Innovators in China
DALI, China, June 10, 2025 /CNW/ -- A group of young entrepreneurs from eight countries have completed a three-day digital agriculture bootcamp in Yunnan province, part of a global effort to equip the next generation of agrifood leaders with the skills and tools needed to solve real-world farming challenges. The Digital Agriculture Innovation Bootcamp, co-hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Zhejiang University, and e-commerce platform Pinduoduo, brought together 18 startup founders for hands-on training and field research. All participants were previous winners of the Global AgriInno Challenge, an FAO-led competition recognizing youth-led innovation in agriculture. "At FAO, we believe that youth-led innovation powered by emerging technologies and Digital Public Infrastructure can play a transformative role in building more climate-resilient, efficient, and equitable agrifood systems," said Vincent Martin, director of the FAO Office of Innovation. The bootcamp builds on the momentum of past competitions and is part of Pinduoduo's ongoing campaign to drive agricultural modernization through digital tools and scientific innovation. The program was split into two parts. The Yunnan leg, held in the ancient village of Gusheng in Dali, gave participants firsthand exposure to how digital agriculture is being deployed at the grassroots level. Entrepreneurs conducted interviews with local farmers, visited "Science and Technology Courtyards," or field-based research stations, and observed smart farming initiatives aimed at improving soil health and reducing chemical use. "Mechanized planting and modern practices are transforming local agriculture," said Robinson, a startup founder from Peru who took part in the bootcamp. "Seeing firsthand how digital tools are improving efficiency and sustainability has been incredibly valuable." The first part of the bootcamp was held at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, where participants were introduced to innovation tools such as stakeholder mapping, needs assessment, and startup fundraising. Experts from FAO, Pinduoduo, and top agricultural universities shared practical strategies for scaling agri-tech solutions in smallholder contexts. Back in Dali, participants learned how local farmers use app-based platforms to order fertilizer tailored to their crop and soil profiles. One pilot program has reportedly reduced nitrogen and phosphorus runoff into nearby Erhai Lake by more than 30%. "This exchange gave me new ways to think about adoption," said Robinson, the startup founder. "Farmers won't pay for innovation—they'll pay for solutions that improve their lives." For Pinduoduo, the bootcamp is part of a long-term commitment to agricultural development. The company has continuously supported initiatives such as the Global AgriInno Challenge, the Science and Technology Courtyard Competition, and now this bootcamp, all under its mission to strengthen agriculture through digital commerce and technology. In April, Pinduoduo announced a new RMB 100 billion support plan to deepen investment in farmer support and agri-tech innovation. Agricultural research, talent development, and technology promotion are core parts of the strategy. The company said it will continue using its digital platform to improve productivity at the source of the supply chain and support rural revitalization efforts. "Innovation technology is the wind, data empowerment is the rain, and multidisciplinary talent is the plow. Together, they drive modern agriculture forward," said Hou Kaidi, vice president at Pinduoduo. "In the next three years, we will continue to leverage the company's digital platform and resources to support global agricultural talent development and innovation, allowing the fruits of science and technology to take root in the fields and energize rural revitalization." FAO said it will continue building its global network of Digital Agriculture Innovation Hubs, linking governments, academia, the private sector and farmers to fast-track sustainable transformation in food systems worldwide.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bay County's Easter egg hunt: Thousands of eggs for all ages
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Grab your baskets and get ready for Bay county's annual Easter Egg Hunt. It will be held on Saturday, April 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. at H.G. Harder's Park, located at 8110 John Pitts Rd., in Panama City. The Easter Bunny arrives at 1 p.m. for photos with the children. There will be four different egg hunts for different age groups, with the first hunt set to begin around 1:30 p.m. 'There's going to be about 10,000 eggs so bring the family out,' said Bay County Parks and Recreation Division Manager Vincent Martin. Special prize eggs along with thousands of candy-filled eggs will be hidden in all four egg hunts. Free face painting stations will be available for the children and food trucks will be on site for refreshment purchases. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Every child will have a place to play at Majette Park
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The county has spruced up a section of Majette Park that's sure to see a lot of activity in the future. Today workers wrapped up a 4-day build, putting the finishing touches on a new high quality, creative playground. The whole process took about five months from the time the county received the grant money to the final product. Ecuadorian students receive J-1 work visa to work during Spring Break in PCB The playground is diverse and has wheelchair-accessible components like swings. County officials say they wanted to make sure every child has a space to play. 'We wanted to make sure that everybody could use it. That's why we had some ADA equipment installed here as well, to allow people in wheelchairs to be able to come out and enjoy this as well. It's a lot of green space out here. There's a lot to do. And there's like I said, there's going to be a lot of growth here in the near future,' said Parks Division Manager, Vincent Martin. The nearly 5-thousand-square-foot playground will be open tomorrow for kids to enjoy. And there's something in the works for parents too. The park will have benches, concrete pathways, and shaded structures shortly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New bathrooms, other amenities coming soon to Under the Oaks Park
CALLAWAY, Fla. (WMBB) — Residents will soon see new bathrooms at Under the Oaks Park in Callaway. Construction on the permanent restrooms started Tuesday. Panama City commissioners sell unused land parcel to advance downtown development 'We're hoping to be completed probably within the next four months or so. To have this new facility out here. This is going to be a men's and women's restroom. It's going to be AA compliant as well,' Bay County Parks and Recreation Division Manager Vincent Martin said. County officials said the park's previous restrooms were old, outdated, and heavily damaged by Hurricane Michael. Park-goers will now have a clean space to use when they have to go, and the restrooms will also allow for more community events to be hosted at the park. 'This place is a beautiful park, a lot of green space. We can do all kinds of events here and bring a lot of the communities here,' Martin said. But that's not the only new amenity Under the Oaks will see. County officials said they're already discussing plans for other improvement projects. 'We want to add more amenities, exercise equipment, pickleball courts, more boating activities out here, maybe some kayak kiosks, things like that, more things for the community to do,' Martin said. Faulty St. Andrews lift station forces relocation County officials said they hope the new bathrooms make the park a more enjoyable place to visit. 'We're all about bringing more amenities and more new things to the parks, just to gather more folks into these beautiful parks that we have here in Bay County,' Martin said. The restrooms cost $236,000. The American Rescue Plan Act Grant is funding the project. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
