Preface

Having postgraduate students live at the front line of production and living with villagers in a small courtyard in the village is not simply a short experience of life—they spend most of their three years as postgraduate students here to learn, exercise and grow. While giving lectures, solving production problems and providing services to local farmers, they also completed their research tasks and graduation thesis, and cultivated their spirit of hardship and hard work, as well as their ability to find practical problems, analyze them and solve them. This is the work model of STB pioneered by the team of academician Zhang Fusuo from the College of Resources and Environment of China Agricultural University in 2009 in China. It is a grass roots science and technology service platform established at the front line of rural production, integrating science and technology innovation, talent cultivation and demonstration and promotion, with postgraduates and professors in close contact with the front line of agricultural products all year round, solving the problems of disconnection between agricultural research and production application, poor integration between agricultural talent cultivation and agricultural production, and poor transformation of agricultural technology, and carrying out practical technological innovation at the front line of production.

Now we will further enrich the cultivation model of the STB and extend the talent cultivation model integrating agricultural science and technology innovation, social service and talent cultivation to the cultivation of international and innovative overseas talents. We will use the multidisciplinary teaching and research platform to promote the construction of the mechanism of agricultural talent cultivation, technology demonstration, product production and promotion in African countries. By transplanting the training model of STB into the talent training system of African universities, the students will understand the needs of agricultural production in Africa, adapt to the front-line work of agricultural production in Africa, apply Chinese advanced agricultural technology in Africa and make innovations cultivate high-quality talents who know China, befriend China, love China and are pro-China, serve the agriculture, rural areas and farmers in Africa on a large scale, improve the conditions and level of people's livelihood, and promote local economic development in Africa.

The book uses international students as narrators to tell their stories in China to people around them and the world who are interested in the“Sino-Africa Science and Technology Backyard”, showing the most realistic pictures and their most sincere feelings. The book also serves as a medium for more people to get to know the model and the “Sino-Africa Science and Technology Backyard”.

This book is written by 22 graduate students from eight African countries（Ethiopia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania, Senegal, and Burkina Faso）in the Sino-Africa STB Project, and edited by Guo Yu and Jiang Shan, student assistants of the Sino-Africa STB Project. This is a book about the experiences and insights of the international students studying in China. It is also written as a case report of international students' practice in China for Sino-Africa STB Project, which can leave a precious memory for everyone.

This book took a long time from the call for papers to the publication, and was revised and improved many times. It has also received many valuable suggestions from teachers.

Therefore, we would like to express our special thanks to academician Zhang Fusuo, Professor Jiang Rongfeng, Associate Professor Jiao Xiaoqiang, and teachers of the Department of Plant Nutrition. They have given valuable advice in many aspects and spent a lot of their time, both during work and in their spare time, to ensure the smooth and high-quality completion of this book for publication.

Editors

“Above all, I will never forget that they treated us with a lot of respect and they are also willing to learn from us. We exchanged a lot of things, such as stories to moments, and I learned a lot about cultural differences. In every experience I got from the county I would also want to acknowledge the student-teacher relationship of mine that improved as I stayed at Quzhou Experimental Station. We had experts like Professor Rongfeng, Professor Hongyan, and Professor Xiaoqiang. Several other professors would occasionally come to the station and share their expertise with us and return to Beijing. Quzhou will always be at my heart because it was the first place for me to do an online presentation and hold classes online. I will never forget this great experience in my lifetime.”

Mudare Shingirai is a young man aged 29 from Zimbabwe. He is currently studying for a Master of Science degree in Resource Utilization, Environmental Science, and Plant Protection at China Agricultural University with the College of Resources and Environmental Sciences. His major experiences include farm and agribusiness management, particularly preparing farm budgets. He is a crop scientist who has experience in growing maize, tobacco, potatoes, and several vegetables. In animal husbandry, he has worked with Red Dane farm, one of the biggest dairy farms in Zimbabwe where he raised calves, took care of heifers and steers, managed artificial insemination, animal feeding, and the milking parlor. He also has practical experience in farm machinery and workshop management. Previously he worked for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education as a teacher in agriculture at all levels.

His motto:No greatness without hard work.

“I came to realize that China has invested hugely in agricultural research so as to come up with solutions for the real challenges facing smallholders and agriculture as a sector. I have also learned that, if the younger generation like us are exposed to the high-level agricultural training like this one, it will attract and motivate more and more young people to participate in agricultural research or work in the area of agricultural expertise and the agricultural production chain.”

Amani Stephen Milinga joined China Agricultural University as a professional graduate student in the College of Resources and Environmental Sciences in 2019. Prior to coming to China, he served as Agriculture Officer at the Department of Agriculture and Extension Services of the Tanzania Smallholders Tea Development Agency（TSHTDA）in Tanzania. Amani received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture General from the Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania, in 2013 and is currently pursuing Master of Science in Resources&Environmental Sciences and Plant Protection at China Agricultural University as a member of Science and Technology Backyard（STB）programme.

Amani's agricultural interests include training tea smallholders in good agricultural practices, sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. He worked with tea farmers in Tanzania for five years and in 2017 he was certified as Tea Master level five（5）by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People's Republic of China. His primary research interests lie in the field of sustainable agriculture and crop productivity.

“There were eight courses in the first semester:elementary Chinese, organic farming, efficient utilization of agri-produce, nonpoint source pollution of agriculture, thesis writing, biometrics and experimental design, rural revitalization and innovation and research integrity and academic norms. These courses were managed by one professor, but taught by different professors from the same university and different companies. The course was also supported by excursion which made our learning process more fruitful. It was a very interesting and joyful time for studying.”

Bilisuma Kabeto Wako comes from Oromia region, Ethiopia. He graduated from Haramaya University in 2014 majored in rural development and agricultural extension. He worked as junior and assistant researcher of agricultural extension research in Oromia Agricultural Research Institute for more than three and a half years. During his stay in Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, he had worked as the team leader of agricultural extension and coordinator of socio-economics and agricultural extension research process. He also worked as the focal person of HIV and gender, coordinating and giving training on crosscutting issues. Now, Bilisuma is pursuing his post graduate study at China Agricultural University in the major of resource utilization and plant protection. After graduation, Bilisuma plans to serve the farmers in his country Ethiopia with the knowledge and skills he gained at China Agricultural University.

“Every student has their own unique story, and each story consists of many sometimes small, sometimes great, but all different and interesting experiences. We enjoy learning experiences from other people, here is my story, I hope you'll enjoy it too.”

His name is Buana Suefo. He is a Sino-Africa STB master student from the College of Environmental Science, majoring in resource utilization and plant protection in China Agricultural University（CAU）. from 2011 to 2019 he was a formatter at the Institute Polytechnic of Nacuxa, supported by Ministry of Science and Technology in Mozambique.

“The campus life in Chinese universities is rich, colorful, and fulfilling. You will find campus life in China vibrant and welcoming with many opportunities to get involved in events and activities that might attract and interest you. Nearly all the universities have offered various fully equipped facilities for the convenience of students for spare time sports activities. When international students decide to study in China, they are embarking on a new journey of study life and steping out from their comfort zone. They will be trained to be more independent, flexible, enjoy the unexpected and meet new people and cultures from many countries around them.”

Erick Emmanuel Kumari is an agripreneur and currently a graduate student at China Agricultural University, Beijing, China. Holding a bachelor's degree in horticulture from Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania, Erick excels in developing a comprehensive digital strategy to communicate and do business with agripreneurs in Tanzania. Strong organization skills, active listening skills, energetic work attitude is a sharp problem solver, adaptive and high performing team spirit, with extensive experience from Tanzania, Israel, United States of America and China.

“Staying in China and pursuing my studies at such a university was the best option and most wonderful experience in my life. The relationship between teachers and students is wonderful and well organized. All the teachers and professors are so cooperative and helpful to students. All students are encouraged to learn and participate in different university activities like cultural and academic exchange, workshops and different international conferences for their career development.”

Christina Lemson Hambo, 26 years old, born in Mbeya, Tanzania, holds a BSc. Agriculture General from Sokoine University of Agriculture. She is currently a Master student at China Agricultural University pursuing MSc. Resources, Environmental Science and Plant Protection.

Her motto:Integrity and working smart for high quality output.

Experience:She is equipped with enough knowledge and skills on agriculture sector and other related fields which come from lectures, practical sessions, excursions and different international workshops. Additionally, she has worked as sales manager at Meru Agro Tours and Consultant Company Ltd. and as Program Officer at Frolesta, a non-government organization under Environmental Restoration Department.

Her smart working, integrity and self-discipline has enabled her to participate in different international workshops in China, to mention just a few:as the guest speaker at The Road and Cooperation of Science and Technology Organization Conference with the topic“Ecological Restoration in Africa”, Youth Leadership Dialogue:China-Africa Agricultural Cooperation Conference, International Webinar-Earth Day:“The way forward to Climate and Health（COVID 19）and then, The 6th Global Youth Leadership Program 2020;Nurturing Leaders, Transforming Lives.

“As we reached and interacted with the farmers, I couldn't get a single word. I thought I could understand mandarin as I had taken a course in my previous semester. However, the farmer's mandarin was so strange that I could barely understand. We went into the meeting place;I could remember vividly what I had read in articles and what I was seeing. The farmer field school comprised of 25-30 farmers mixed young and old, male and female. As the proceedings went on, farmers showed close attention to the presentation of the beautiful MSc student.”

Ngula David Muttendango was born in Livingstone, Zambia. He got his bachelor's degree at the University of Zambia, and majored in crop science. He also participated in the one-year Agrostudies rigorous agricultural internship in Israel where he was exposed to hands-on farm management training. He is currently pursuing his master's degree at China Agricultural University, majoring in resource utilization and plant protection. His dream is to create a vertically integrated business model that will involve goat farming at the heart of the company business.

“The classes were interactive as every students had to participate in practicing to speak Chinese in front of the class. Pinyin and characters were taught during the whole semester and I managed to grasp a lot which helped me to easily adapt to the Chinese people. After about three months of learning Chinese, I could now speak with the Chinese people on different occasions like the restaurant and market although with some difficulties, and this allowed me to practice it further as I believe that practice makes perfect.”

Born and raised in the streets of Harare, Zimbabwe, Jasper Kanomanyanga is 28 years of old. He pursued his first degree in Agricultural Crop Science at the University of Zimbabwe and completed it in 2016. Soon after his graduation, Jasper worked for the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe（COTTCO Pvt, Ltd）from 2016 to 2019 as an extension agent and later as an area manager. It has been his core dream to attain a foreign degree from a world-renowned university and this encouraged him to start applying for international scholarships until he was accepted by the China Agricultural University（CAU）under the Chinese Council Scholarship. Currently, he is studying for Master in Science degree in Resource Utilization, Environmental Science and Plant Protection in the College of Resources and Environmental Sciences at CAU, Beijing, China（2019—2022）.

“Fortunately my supervisor was living with us in the station since he is the coordinator of the program. Really I would like to appreciate his motivation in helping the students. He is energetic and dynamic person very much interested in creating good citizen. To be honest he inspired me to do many thing with great motivation. He wants all students to study hard, work hard which is very ecouragable. As general life in Quzhou Experimental station was very interesting and a place I learned a lot. Finally I would like to thank Quzhou Experimental Station's staff for their kind support in particular and China government for the opportunity we are given in general. I hope the experience that we have been sharing will bring positive change on enhancing the income of subsistent African farmers and the issue of food insecurity challenging African continent.”

He is Derara Sori Feyisa from Ethiopia. He is a university graduate in rural development and agricultural extension from Haramaya University. He worked as assistant researcher in Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research before coming to China. Four years later, he got the opportunity to pursue master's degree in resource utilization and plant protection for three years in China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.

“I enjoyed every bit of the Chinese from the written aspect to the oral aspect. I was able to acquire knowledge of basic vocabulary needed for day-to-day activities. The first word I learnt was‘Hello-Ni Hao'. Through the course I was able to learn several conversations needed when I visit supermarkets, restaurants and banks. It was an exciting experience for me. In addition to this, Research Integrity and Academic Norms provided me with highly expository knowledge norms and misconducts in academic research which has been of great use to me in my current research.”

Priscilla Tijesuni Adisa, a graduate student of College of Resource and Environmental Science, China Agricultural University. She is from Nigeria.

Motto:Rome was not built in a day, but it was laying bricks every hour.

“After much discussion with my supervisor, he had some concerns with my proposed experimental work, so he suggested runing a trial experiment, which I did. The pre-experiment was carried out in the greenhouse in Quzhou Experimental Station, 5 treatments with 4 replications, the treatments were 0, 30, 60, 90, 120. Every step of the experiment was studied properly and discussed with my supervisor to ensure a good result.”

Odigie Eromosele is from Nigeria, and he graduated from Federal University of Technology Minna, with a bachelor's degree in Agric and Bio-Resources Engineering. He worked at the Federal Capital Development Authority（FCDA）as a project staff（temporary staff）. He plays basketball and coaches kids as a trainer at the Titans Basketball Academy in Abuja Nigeria. He is a bodybuilder, a photographer and occasionally motivator. He loves to explore new things and visit new places. He also loves to travel and take amazing photos of his exploration.

“I learn many things from my practical education and acquired knowledge like how to measure plant growth indicators and critical period to take indicator samples for different crops and hard working to achieve my goal. I get hardworking habit from Chinese farmers. They are punctual with their work and also they respect foreigners.”

Tefera Merga was from Ethiopia. He was born and raised in a small rural community in Southwest-central Ethiopia. He was 29 years old and he completed his early education in his native country including a BSc in Plant Science from Mizan Tepi University in 2012. He worked for five years as an instructor at Holeta Polytechnic College. He came to China on September 14, 2019 to continue his education in master of resource utilization and plant protection. He conducted research on the effect of liquid cattle manure on yield of maize（Zea mays, L.）to solve the effects of chemical fertilizer and to use animal manure as a fertilizer to reduce environmental pollution.

“It is supposed that Chinese agricultural technology best fits for modernize African subsistence agriculture. Science and Technology Backyard is the model that links the farming and science community and other stakeholders together for mutual benefit in technology generation and dissemination. After I came to Quzhou, I have visited many STBs and crops and learned about very astonishing technologies in different agricultural production systems.”

Solomon Yokamo was born in Ethiopia in one of the rural areas in Sidama region, Shebedino Woreda on 11th Sept 1993. He joined Wolaita Sodo University（WSU）in Ethiopia from 2012 to 2014 under the school of Agriculture at the Department of Rural Development&Agricultural Extension（RDAE）. After graduation, he worked in Shebedino Woreda urban development and housing sector as an urban agriculture officer for one and a half years. Then after, he worked in the South Agricultural Research Institute（SARI）under Arbaminch Agricultural Research Centre（AMARC）as an agricultural technology transfer researcher from May 2016. His major role in the research centre was providing training to the farmers&development personnel and conducting demonstration plots on farmers field and FTCs to enhance technology adoption and recording&share the results with science community. He got the CSC scholarship opportunity and came to China on 8th Sept 2019 and became the student of CAU under the College of Resources and Environmental Science.

“It is interesting for me to note my meeting with the head of Wangzhuang village during one of my visits to the village for farmer's survey. He's a complete gentleman who is full of energy and very sweet personality. He also happens to be a farmer himself and after answering my questionnaire, he also helped me in encouraging some of his friends that are farmers to do same.”

Lawal Olusola Lawal comes from Nigeria. He gets the bachelor's degree of Agriculture.

In line with the plan and objectives of the Sino-Africa STB program which is to develop technology innovation and knowledge transfer in rural area with the STB model and empower smallholder farmers in Africa, he is meant to stay in Quzhou Experimental Station in order to acquire some practical skills and experience in sustainable agriculture, learn more about the STB model and carry out experiments, researches and farmers' survey.

During his stay here, he was able to carry out a farmer's survey for his research titled“Assessment of challenges limiting the use of manure among smallholder farmers in Quzhou county of China”. A structured questionnaire which has been carefully translated into Chinese language was used to collect primary data from 120 participants（farmers）who were randomly selected from two different STB villages（Wangzhuang and Fuzhuang）in the study area. The farmer's survey（data collection）was done with the support of Chinese partners attached to him by his supervisor, Professor Cui Zhenling.

The most precious moment during his six months stay in rural China was that he was able to interact and carry out a successful farmer's survey among local Chinese farmers despite cultural and language barriers that exist. This is a very precious experience for him because it has provided him with a very rare opportunity as an agricultural extension agent from Africa（Nigeria）to have first-hand experience of what it looks and takes for a non-Chinese speaker to carry out a farmer's survey study in China.

“My days at Quzhou Experimental Station were noted by self-study session and the participation of seminars. The comfortableness of the study room offers me a favourable condition to concentrate on my literature research and my daily writing（Photo 11）. This situation of self-study has increasingly improved my capacity of reading, analysing and summarizing of scientific papers.”

Philippe Yameogo is from Burkina Faso, a country which means“land of honest men”. He is 33 years old. With a basic training in earth science, he joined the Ministry of Agriculture with a degree in agricultural engineering. With his profile of agriculture engineer, he worked as an extension agent at the Regional Extension Service of Plateau Centre where he held many functions. From the responsibility of the compiling, monitoring/evaluating and managing of the department activities, he became the central agent of the National Program of Vulgarization and Advice Support Agricultural with the mission of coordinating and planning of the activities of popularization and agricultural advice support.

His experience in China is reflected in his familiarization with Chinese practices and millet production technics. The discovery of new technologies used on the production of the wheat, apple and grape through the visit and training in the villages of Science and Technology Backyard gave him a new vision of agriculture.

Motto:Self-confidence is the best companion.

“On the other hand, for the success of Sino-AFRICA STB in my country, as it would do so to connect the scientific community to the agricultural community to facilitate the exchange of information and innovations. Science-based management technologies are brought in by the STB team and discussed with leading farmers, the latter providing feedback that is then addressed, resulting in recommendations applicable to the holding.”

Teodósio Titos Leonardo Macuácua, 27 years old of Mozambican nationality, is a high school teacher in Agriculture. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Production from the Eduardo Mondlane University（UEM）of Mozambique, and a formation in Agricultural Sciences and Agrarian Mechanization from the IF-Federal Institute of Brazil.

He has four years of work experience as a trainer in the areas of agricultural mechanization, planning, and analysis of small agricultural projects, agricultural machinery maintenance, communication, and rural extension. He is a developer of agricultural projects, planning, and analysis at Três Rios Agricultura LDA company.

He is currently at the College of Resources and Environmental Sciences of China Agricultural University（CAU）. He is one of the students of the first promotion of the Sino-Africa Science and Technology Backyard（STB）Project for a Master in Resources Utilization and Plant Protection. For this Training, he dedicated himself to Soil Management and Environmental Protection. His search topic is“Effects of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer and composted chicken manure on ammonia（NH₃）volatilization in winter wheat-summer maize rotation system.

“My stay at Quzhou has been of great benefit and impact. I have learned some improved agronomic practices and ways in which smallholder farmers can improve their yield. I researched literature relating to my thesis during my leisure period when I'm not on the field or having lectures. My most memorable day in Quzhou was when I finally harvested my maize field.”

Igbinedion Rosemary Izehiuwa, from Nigeria, 32 years old, is currently a master's student of China Agricultural University, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences. She majors in Resources Utilization, Environmental Science and Plant Protection.

Her motto:Life is tough but so are you, make your life a master piece;imagine no limitations on what you can be, have or do.

“It is my hope that, as days go by, we will fulfill our goal of learning the best ways to cooperate with smallholder farmers in order to find solutions to various challenges in the process of crop production, which will ultimately impact agriculture in Africa as we will take this new knowledge and experience back home and use it to benefit our societies. Lastly, I would like to appreciate the warm welcome, assistance and cooperation from STB administrators.”

Prior to joining China Agricultural University（CAU）, he was working with a private entrepreneurial organization that was specialized in the transfer of agricultural knowledge to various groups of people in society including women, agricultural graduates, and anyone from any sector and background interested in modern and sustainable farming. He got his Bachelor degree in horticulture from Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania in 2016. After graduation, he had participated in various training and internship programs to further improve his knowledge in agriculture particularly practical skills. He participated in agriculture internship in Israel from October 2016 to October 2017. Also, he went on to pursue another agriculture internship in the United States for six months from April to October 2018. After that he joined a private enterprise associated in dissemination of farming knowledge to different groups as he mentioned earlier until the opportunity to study in China came about.

“In Quzhou Experimental Station I have got a lot of experience. That season was the winter season and the North China Plain is known for producing winter wheat. There were a different activity on the field, especially how they used different fertilizers such as phosphorous, Nitrogen, and mixed ones.”

Wakjira Gurmesa Djano was born in 1988 in West Wollega, Oromia region, Ethiopia. In 2009 he joined Arba Minch University and graduated with BSc in animal science in 2011. After graduation, he was employed as a Holeta Poly Technic College Instructor at the Department of Animal Science in 2015. His main duties were giving training for students, preparing learning and teaching materials, and giving different local community services according to Ethiopian Techincal and Vocational Institute policy. Later on, after six-year services for his local communities, he got another opportunity that links him with education at China Agricultural University full scholarship program at the College of Resources and Environmental Sciences. Now he is a second-year master's student at China Agricultural University and learning different science and technology that China is using for sustainable agricultural production and intensification.

“After all tours in most of the tunnels and rivers across the county, we finally stopped at a STB station which was managed by some CAU students. That demonstrated to us the relevance and importance of drip irrigation and how it encounters water problem in the region.”

Ibrahim Aliyu Usman, 32 years old, worked as an agricultural officer from Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Abuja, Nigeria. He studied agricultural extension services from the University of Maiduguri. He is now a member of Sino-Africa STB from the College of Resource and Environmental Science in China Agricultural University at the department of resource utilization and plant protection.

His motto:If you want to go fast, move alone, but if you want to go far, move together.

“Thanks to my host and efficient technology of communication and map in China I was able to get to my accommodation a day after my arrival, which was quite an experience and the journey and the destination. That day I met my fellow Nigerians Hamed, who took me to international student building to an eatery for dinner;it's not my first time outside the country and my first to Asia and China.”

Aminu Hussaini Adamu was born in Nigeria in the year of 1990 in the city of Kano state in North-West zone of Nigeria. It is in the Sahelian geographic region—South of the Sahara. Kano is the commercial nerve center of Northern Nigeria and the second largest city in Nigeria. He got his first bachelor degree in Kano University of Science and Technology in the year 2009 to 2015 under the Department of Agricultural Economic and Extension（A.E.E）. After graduation he started working with Hadejia Ja'amare River Basin Authority as Agric OfficerⅡ（Extension Services）on Grade Level 08/2. After he was among the thirty-four African students who got the opportunity to study in China Agricultural University under the program of Science and Technology Backyard（STB）. His research title is:Effect of phosphorus containing fertilizer application on yield and growth rate of tomato.

His motto:Never depend on a single income. Make investments to create a second source.

“I have also learned about soil sampling, yield assessment and the pots experimental activities allowed me to have a mastery about the soil treatment process passing by seed pre-germination, plants' growing parameters measurement to plants maintenance in pots.”

From Burkina Faso, aged thirty-five, Saturnin Zigani is an agent of Ministry of Agriculture and Hydro-Development of its country. He has eight years' work experience as an agricultural extension officer. He holds a professional bachelor's degree in plant health risk management from OuagaⅡJoseph KY ZERBO University.

Currently, he is in training at the College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University. He is one of the students of the first promotion of the Sino-African Science and Technology Backyard（STB）project for a Master degree in Resource Utilization and Plant Protection. For this training, he has dedicated himself to millet management and production systems in China. His research topic is“Comparison of millet and soybean intercropping systems response on Nitrogen use efficiency in China and Burkina Faso”. His purpose is to learn new techniques, technologies and good agricultural practices in millet management and production that are useful in China and can be adapted to Burkina Faso's condition in order to increase millet yield and contribute to the food security in his country.

His motto:Never give up!