Students learn agricultural technologies at the China-Africa (Jinhua) Agricultural Innovation Park. [Photo/Tide News]

Twenty African students participated in an immersive modern agriculture class at the China-Africa (Jinhua) Agricultural Innovation Park on June 1 in Jinhua, Zhejiang province.

This marks the start of the practical phase of the Jinhua China-Africa agricultural talent incubator project, strengthening the foundation for deeper cooperation in agricultural education and technology exchange between China and Africa.

In the park's seeding and nursery area, the students learned from agricultural experts about innovative cultivation techniques and the principles of intelligent vegetable logistics seedbeds, gaining firsthand experience with advanced modern agricultural systems.

The park's 30,000-square-meter smart greenhouses serve as the core platform for China-Africa agricultural cooperation, integrating scientific research with talent development. Equipped with a precise environmental control system, they can simulate a range of African climates and soil conditions, providing a standardized testing ground for identifying crop varieties suited to Africa.

As a key practice of the talent incubator project, Jinhua Agricultural Science Institute and Jinhua University of Vocational Technology launched a mentor-mentee program last year.

During the one-year training program, students gain knowledge in modern agriculture, crop improvement, and industry operations through hands-on experience at the innovation base and local agricultural enterprises.

To date, the program has trained more than 100 African agricultural professionals, who have applied their skills across Africa to promote local cultivation of crops such as peppers, rice, and potatoes. Notably, two premium pepper varieties have been successfully trialed, with plans underway to further promote the associated technologies and varieties.