International students drive technological change at Lanzhou University
2024-01-26
Professor Xiong Youcai (center) and Kiprotich Wesly Cheruiyot (right) pose for a photo at Xinglong Mountain. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
In the past decade, international students have mastered new technologies at Lanzhou University and brought what they learned back to their home countries.
This year marks Kenyan student Kiprotich Wesly Cheruiyot's tenth year at Lanzhou University. During his doctoral studies, Kiprotich often accompanied Professor Xiong Youcai to farms in Africa to promote ridge-furrow plastic film mulch technology.
"For Kenyans, there are two major projects built by China, the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway - the first modern railway in Kenya since its independence - and the ridge-furrow plastic film mulch. I want to bring this technology back to my hometown," said Kiprotich.
Kiprotich Wesly Cheruiyot shows local farmers how to use ridge-furrow plastic film. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Xiong said the main reasons the technology can be widely promoted in Kenya are its low cost, high grain yield, and simple operation.
Xiong's team has established eight stations in Kenya and is developing 3000 mu (200 hectares) annually. Cornfields that apply the technology have increased production by 99 to 214 percent.
Next, Kiprotich wants to continue his postdoctoral work at Lanzhou University."I want to bring back more advanced Chinese technology to Kenya. I have conducted training in Kenya. Women who have learned new technology can have more employment opportunities and change their lives," He added.
