China's agriculture model suitable for Africa

In 2004, I came to Quzhou county, Hebei province, with my colleagues. I found that though the crops' yields had increased, farmers needed to invest more money because natural resources such as underground water had decreased.

So since then, we have been focusing on better utilizing natural resources, which helps sustainably increase yields. In 2009, we adopted a model dubbed Science and Technology Backyard. It provided services for farmers and educated many agricultural students.

At first, we were not very sure about this model because it was new. However, after several years, it turned out that the students really enjoyed living and studying in villages because they had great opportunities here and could find their values.

They worked with farmers and solved problems for them whenever asked. They found useful scientific laws through practice in the field. Finally, they received recognition from farmers and support from local governments.

After receiving good results from this model, we realized that it was a way to bring scientific research down to earth and improve productivity.

It was also a better way to educate them than in class because here they would search for answers themselves and feel confident after discovering their potential. And it is not rare to see that the eyes of students who are learning in backyards are brighter than those from traditional classes.

They stay here for technological innovation, for the country and for the people and they would always keep this sense of mission after studying in rural areas.

A sense of fulfillment and responsibility made it possible for our teachers and students to persist in this program, and I believe it will last for generations.

In this era, nearly all the people like living in the city. However, talent should come to the villages so that our country will become stronger.

Zhang Fusuo spoke with Li Hongyang.