African agricultural (AG) officials attending a senior research class at a Chinese university say the workshop is useful for promoting exchanges and cooperation between China and the continent.

Daniel B. Tipayson, a senior Libyan AG official, said the case studies and exercises were most preferred. Through these they could share practical experiences and exchange ideas with Chinese agricultural experts.

"This learning program is very useful ... and it is not too academic. What we are learning is professional and pragmatic."

The program began on June 10 at Nanjing Agricultural University in the east China's Jiangsu Province and will finish at the end of the month. In total, 22 AG officials from 13 African countries including Egypt, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya and Libya, attended with the main purpose of studying China's experience in the reform and development of agriculture.

The topics included the reform of land rights, the role of organic fertilizer in sustained agricultural development and the management of agricultural products supply chains.

"Although the weather conditions and geological situation in China are quite different from those in Africa, we adapt what we have learnt through the program to the African situation," Tipayson said.

Kenyan Audi Willis Magak hoped for more cooperation in agriculture between China and African countries.

"For example, Kenya has more advantages in flower planting, but there are difficulties in opening the market. China and Africa can strengthen cooperation in the fields of production, supply and marketing communications."

Egyptian Mostafa Hassan introduced a water-saving irrigation system from his country to the class.

The climate conditions of Egypt are similar to those of some areas in China. There were many areas in agriculture for the two countries to learn from each other, he said.

Before the close of the workshop, the Africans will visit some agriculture facilities in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, and the eastern business hub of Shanghai.

Zhang Hongsheng, director of the university's International Education College, said the class had great reference values, something which could really help them handle problems as the content was related to the "common points" between China and Africa.

Nanjing Agricultural University, one of the key institutes of its type in the country, has helped train many staff for African countries through dispatching teachers, setting up special scholarships and in holding workshop classes.

(Xinhua News Agency June 24, 2008)