HANGZHOU, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The introduction of Chinese agricultural machinery to Africa has brought great opportunities to the continent, an Egyptian expert told Xinhua at an agricultural machinery expo.

The "Zhejiang Agricultural Machinery Going to Africa" Virtual Expo, which kicked off on Thursday in the city of Jinhua in east China's Zhejiang Province, aims to promote cooperation between Zhejiang and Africa in the agricultural machinery sector to enhance food security and agricultural modernization.

Zhejiang, home to more than 4,200 agricultural machinery companies, has established itself as a leading force in China's agriculture sector. As of now, its agricultural machinery sector has generated over 11 billion U.S. dollars in output.

The expo welcomed more than 100 government officials, industry representatives and agricultural machinery dealers from over 20 African countries, including Egypt, Kenya, Morocco and Nigeria.

"Smart agricultural machinery was a huge challenge for us in Egypt," said Mostafa Gouda, a professor at the National Research Centre of Egypt and Zhejiang University. "But now, with China's equipment, we've found solutions. It's a game-changer."

Morocco faces similar challenges in terms of agricultural machinery. "Agriculture is crucial to our economy, but it's also a sector struggling with high costs, especially for small and medium-sized businesses," said Meriem Homaid, CEO of the Morocco SIEMA Agricultural Exhibition, adding that many farmers contend with outdated equipment and limited access to modern technology.

However, Homaid sees a promising opportunity -- one rooted in China's agricultural machinery industry.

"Chinese machinery offers high performance at competitive prices," she said. "It presents a unique opportunity for Moroccan farmers to embrace modernization without breaking the bank."

Homaid also highlighted its adaptability to Morocco's diverse terrains and its eco-friendly features, such as solar power systems and water-saving solutions, which align with the country's sustainability goals.

In Gouda's view, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the key driver of agricultural modernization in Africa. He noted that access to advanced machinery has long been a hurdle across Africa, which the BRI aims to address by fostering cooperation and investment.

He emphasized that China's agricultural cooperation with Africa is "unique," pointing to China's greenhouses and smart systems, which have gained widespread popularity in Africa for their effectiveness and affordability.

"This partnership with China isn't just an opportunity for Egypt -- it's an opportunity for Africa," he said. "With the right machinery, the right technology and the right collaboration, we can reshape the future of farming. And that future is bright."