BETTER YIELDS: Rice growing technology in producing improved crop performance in Africa

In the field of agricultural cooperation between China and Africa, one project stands out above the many others. Initiated by Chinese and Kenyan governments in 1995, the China-Kenya Higher Education Cooperation Program was established to promote education cooperation in agricultural development between two countries. After the government-to-government program ended, the project was continued and shifted to independent cooperation between the two universities - Nanjing Agriculture University (NAU) in China and Egerton University in Kenya.

Both specializing in agricultural studies and excel in training high-level agriculture talents, the two universities undertook the program which was sponsored by the two governments. It was scheduled to last eight years from 1995. But when it officially ended in 2002, the program proved so successful and popular among leaders and teachers at both universities that they decided to extend their independent cooperation indefinitely. During the eight years from 2002, aside from receiving a 300,000 yuan ($44,310) donation from Ministry of Education of China, the two universities have relied on themselves to raise needed money in the cooperation.

The program is mainly aimed at introducing China's agricultural technologies through education. To achieve the goal, NAU has appointed many experienced professors to go to Kenya, demonstrating China's agriculture technology, conducting research with local teachers and students and helping build agricultural facilities suitable to local conditions. The program also receives teachers and students from Egerton, instructing them in agricultural technology and awarding relevant degrees.

During the eight-year cooperation phase, NAU sent three professors to Kenya. Among them, Wu Qinsheng was appointed to Egerton when the program began and has played a leading role in the whole process. Even now, he is still in Kenya, continuing the constant drive for cooperation.