The cooperation between China and Africa in the educational and agriculture sectors is equipping a new crop of African scientists with technological know how and capacity to maximize the productivity of crop yield back home.

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CGTN visited a Tanzanian national studying at one of the prestigious agricultural research institutions in Hainan Province in China under the guidance of Researcher Yi Kexian of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences.

On the rooftop garden of the Environment and Plant Protection Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences in Haikou, Hainan Province.

Tanzanian student Samson Mkapa is collecting sisal leaf samples to analyze their nutrient content.

Known by his Chinese name Daisheng, Mkapa is a master's degree student on a scholarship, studying jointly at the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences and Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan.

SAMSON MKAPA Student, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou "It's a university scholarship program, but according to my program, I had to spend one year in my school and two years at the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences. That's because, for my research, I have to do the experiments on the same crop I was dealing with in my institute back home."

The crop in question is sisal. About 60 years ago, Tanzania was the largest producer of sisal, producing over 200,000 tonnes. Today that figure has dropped below 15,000 tonnes annually.

It is one of the reasons Mkapa chose to focus his research on sisal farming.

SAMSON MKAPA Student, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou "Most areas in Africa still use the colonial system, the low technology system. So I thought it would be advantageous and helpful for my country if I focus on the farming system and technology because we can then maximize production."

CATAS is the only national-level research institution in China specializing in tropical agricultural technology development.

The academy has been at the forefront of several scientific breakthroughs and technological innovations on various crops including the rubber tree.

His tutor is full of praise for his work ethic and dedication to his studies.

TAN SHIBEI Ass. Researcher, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou "My first impression of Daisheng is that he is quite composed and methodical in how he works. He is also very diligent, often staying late to finish his tasks."

The cooperation between China and Africa in agriculture has seen a rise in the number of scholarships awarded to Africans for studying at Chinese universities.

WU WEIHUA Associate Researcher, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou "When he returns to his country, he can apply the efficient cultivation methods, the pest and disease control techniques we use here for the sisal industry in Tanzania."

Back at the lab, Mkapa is preparing for his experiment.

It will take several months before the experiment bears fruit.

Robert Nagila "So how can you apply this knowledge back home?"

Samson Mkapa "Back home it will be very useful that when we know how much fertilizer we need to reduce, that amount of fertilizer will be covered by sisal waste."

Despite being away from home for so long, Mkapa has embraced life on foreign land.

SAMSON MKAPA Student, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou. "I have been here for only two years, but I can speak a little Mandarin. I can easily tell if my friend is not okay because I am very close to them. It is easier if you open your mind, open your heart and just embrace the process of living."

Robert Nagila, CGTN, Haikou, Hanan Province.

报道链接：https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-09-05/VHJhbnNjcmlwdDgwNjcz/index.html