The standard of a country's agriculture is appraised, first and foremost,
by
the competence of its farmers. Poorly trained farmers are not capable of
applying advanced methods and new technologies. Therefore, any attempt
to export advanced agricultural technologies from Israel to China must
first ensure that the Chinese farmers are at a standard suitable for the
technology of the Israeli equipment.
With this in mind, it can be easily understood why it was in Israel's
interest
to train Chinese agricultural personnel and, consequently, why it is
important to set up an agricultural training centre in China with Israeli
instructors. The idea of establishing such a centre was first proposed to
the Chinese Administration by former Israel Foreign Minister Shimon Peres
during
his visit to China in 1993. The main idea was to establish a centre, with
Israeli assistance, to train high-level personnel who would later able
to train others throughout China in a "ripple effect".
The centre was established at Beijing University for Agricultural
Engineering (today the eastern
campus of the Agricultural University of China), when Israel - through the
Centre for International Cooperation (MASHAV) of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs - assured
the availability to the centre of top-quality lecturers and scientists
from all Israeli
institutions of agricultural research and education. The local authorities
were entrusted
with the responsibility for proposing topics of importance and interest
to Chinese
agriculture, and for recruiting high-grade stsudents (university graduates
or persons of
relevant agricultural experience) from all over China. To make
maximum
exposure to a broad potential population possible, it was agreed that the
courses
would
be
taught in English with Chinese translation, and that information on the
centre would be disseminated in all provinces of the People's Republic of
China.
Since the
centre was officially inaugurated in October 1993, fourteen courses have
been delivered
on
a wide variety of agricultural subjects. The topics are selected by the
centre's local academic committee in coordination with the
Israeli scientific director,
based on the availability of Israeli lecturers. Over 400 students from
twenty-four provinces have attended the courses thus far, and their
quality meets the
admission
requirements
set for studies at the centre.
Aware of the importance of the project, the Israeli institutions of
research and higher education agreed to release the faculty members chosen
to teach at the centre. The Centre for International Cooperation (MASHAV)
decided to fund the dispatch of lecturers, preparation of course materials
and acquisition of scientific equipment
needed for each course. The local partners pledged to
cover all local expenses, including hosting lecturers and covering the
costs of their stay at the centre.
In addition to its main task - training
personnel by means of frontal lectures - the centre has set up an
information station on
Israeli agricultural equipment, with pictures, informative material,
accessories and
models. A demonstration plot with irrigation equipment and greenhouses was
set
up as a
study aid for the subjects of certain lectures.
Although the centre is
still relatively new, it has already gained an excellent reputation among
members of the
Chinese agricultural establishment. The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture
has
recognized its great importance and its unique contribution in improving
the quality of agriculture in China, and has decided to build a large,
modern building with
classrooms, laboratories, a library and dormitories for the teaching
staff and students,
thereby expressing its appreciation for this important enterprise, which
does much to
enhance relations between Israel and China.