Students work at an STB in Quzhou County, Hebei Province, on 26 May (Xinhua) 

Food insecurity continues to plague many rural communities across Africa. In Ghana and many neighbouring countries, smallholder farmers still struggle to make ends meet due to poor yields, outdated practices, and minimal institutional support. They face a plethora of challenges, including limited access to technology, weak extension systems, and a gap between scientific knowledge and everyday farming. 

Located thousands of miles away, China - once burdened by its own food crises - has transformed itself into a global example of agricultural self-sufficiency. The contrast is striking, and it raises an important question: how did China turn things around so dramatically? 

While studying at China Agricultural University (CAU), I came across a particularly interesting programme that sheds light on this question: the Science and Technology Backyard (STB) initiative. 

Fruitful collaborations 

Launched in 2009 in Quzhou County, Hebei Province, the STB initiative is a uniquely community-driven approach to agricultural development. It goes beyond traditional advisory services by integrating scientific research, government support, business participation, and active involvement from local farmers. Rather than relying on the typical top-down extension model, the STB sends graduate students and researchers directly into rural farming communities. They live alongside farmers, work collaboratively in the fields, and jointly tackle real-world agricultural challenges. 

Today, more than 1,000 STBs operate across China, involving over 4,000 graduate students and more than 2,000 agricultural experts. These hubs serve as vibrant centres of knowledge exchange, giving farmers access to cutting-edge scientific advancements while allowing researchers to learn from local practices and on-the-ground realities. 

During my visits to the STBs in Quzhou and Beijing, I saw firsthand how effectively this collaborative approach is working. Graduate students were involved in everything from checking soil health and identifying the best fertilisers to managing pests and diseases. In a notable case, more than 50 students trained over 2,000 winter wheat farmers. With their help, farmers were able to increase yields by improving irrigation, managing seedlings more effectively, and applying inputs at optimal times. What’s even more impressive is that this wasn’t just about students sharing knowledge - the farmers actively participated in the process, contributing local insights to solve problems. This two-way exchange made the research more practical and more easily scalable to meet the real needs of local communities. 

Beyond training, STBs are becoming hubs for cultivating new ideas in agriculture and nurturing rural talent. For example, Beijing’s Jingwa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Centre is leading the way with AI-powered smart farming, drones that identify crop diseases, and satellite-guided planting systems. But here’s the key point: these tech innovations are not merely imported from outside. Farmers actively test and help to improve them, ensuring that the solutions are truly useful and practical. This teamwork between researchers and farmers makes all the difference. 

All of this collaboration and progress is possible because of China’s strong focus on rural revitalisation. Universities are now encouraged to bring agricultural education directly into farming communities, helping to train a new generation of experts who are not only technically skilled but also socially aware. It’s a smart and sustainable way to strengthen rural communities and ensure long-term development. 

Adibase Raphael (Courtesy)

Application in Africa 

STBs are not confined to China. Since 2019, the China-Africa STB project has gained significant momentum, with training sessions and pilot sites emerging in countries like Malawi. Led by African alumni of CAU, these programmes bring the core principles of the STB model into African communities. In Malawi, localised versions of STBs have helped to train hundreds of farmers in sustainable practices such as integrated soil fertility management, post-harvest handling, and climate-resilient cropping techniques. So far, more than 70 students from over 10 African countries have participated in the programme, forming a new group of agricultural specialists ready to make a difference in their own backyards. 

Ghana could greatly benefit from adopting STB-like practices. Our farms aren’t underperforming because of a lack of potential; it’s more about the disconnect between research institutions and the people who work the land every day. Embedding agricultural students within farming communities in places like Bongo, Tamale, or Ejura could foster knowledge sharing, improve yields, and help to nurture the next generation of agricultural leaders. 

Imagine a Ghanaian agricultural university launching an STB-style initiative where students and farmers co-develop solutions, test innovations directly on farms, and adapt technologies to fit local conditions. With proper government backing and collaboration between the public and private sectors, this could be truly transformative for Ghana’s food security and rural development. 

The STB initiative isn't just a success story for China; it’s a proven model that can be followed for rural development anywhere. Its real strength lies not just in its technology but in how it puts people first. By positioning farmers, students, and scientists as equal partners, China has demonstrated that food security is not just an aspiration - it’s an achievable reality through collaboration, commitment, and continuous innovation. 

For Africa - and Ghana specifically - it’s time to rethink how we approach this challenge. Hunger isn’t a curse; it’s a problem we can solve by investing in our people, our science, and the systems that bring everyone together. The land here can feed the continent, but only if we build the right knowledge, nurture talent, and build trust that allows our farms to truly flourish. 

The author is an M.A. student at China Agricultural University.