Samson, a student from Malawi in Africa, took part in agricultural activities on Oct 20 at an experimental base in Quzhou county of Handan, Hebei province, with three other compatriots.
They are graduate students at Beijing's China Agricultural University and major in resources and environmental sciences and plant protection.
Samson, 30, hopes he can apply the techniques learned in China to help agricultural production in his home country.
"China's agriculture is highly modernized, and the grain output is high. If we can bring the technologies and experience back, it will be a great help to our country's agricultural production," he said.
In recent days, the students, who began their study program at the base — the Quzhou Experimental Station of China Agricultural University — in September, have been occupied in Wangzhuang village, busy with the corn harvest, either threshing or recording data.
"We are acquiring many skills from the practices at the base, such as the analysis of soil samples and moisture content, the application of organic fertilizers, the determination of fertilizer nutrients, as well as mechanization for harvesting and plowing machines," said Samson.
According to Jiao Xiaoqiang, a professor at China Agricultural University, the overseas students are very conscientious.
"They always actively write practical notes and summarize valuable information they have seen and learned," Jiao said.
Samson said he will study in China for two years — one year at school for college classes and another at the base for practical learning — and is expected to graduate in June 2024.
"With the guidance of our tutors, we will conduct research and write theses at the base while learning how to cooperate with farmers and give agricultural training, as well as obtaining green production technology and crop planting processes," he said.
At the base, they have opportunities to obtain knowledge about the various plants that the base grows, including crops like wheat and corn, fruit like apples and pears, vegetables like tomatoes and celery, as well as some commercial crops like traditional Chinese medicinal herbs and cotton.
Established in 1973, the base covers 72.5 hectares in the county, most of which are experimental or demonstrative farming fields for multiple study subjects, such as the improvement of soil fertility, the efficient use of water resources and crop breeding, according to the base's deputy head Zhang Hongyan.
During the past five decades, it has nurtured over 500 graduate students in agriculture, including two university presidents and three academicians, and more than 60 students from 12 African countries.
Among the African students, 29 have received diplomas from China Agricultural University for their outstanding grades. After graduation and returning to their home country, they got good jobs, with some working at agricultural departments or in education, Jiao said.
"Our aim is to nurture talent with practical abilities," he said.
