Crafting the Legend of China’s Hybrid Rice Aid Abroad: A Tribute to “Touching China 2023” Yang Huade, Head of China-Aided Senior Agricultural Expert Group to Burundi

"The seeds, enrobed in silk and originating from China, burgeon into plump, fragrant rice grains on African soil. What began as a project has blossomed into an industry, thanks to the unwavering dedication of the yellow-skinned Chinese, enlightening their black-skinned brethren on the profound significance of a community of shared future for mankind. Amidst the undulating rice paddies, the journey is arduous, yet the bond forged is profound."

On the evening of April 8, Yang Huade, leader of the third phase of China-aided senior agricultural expert group to Burundi, was bestowed with the prestigious "Touching China 2023"award. But what prompted an agricultural aid expert to stir the hearts of China? Allow our reporter to take you closer to Yang Huade, an exemplary figure among agricultural aid experts.

Tangible field results speak for themselves

Yang Huade's modest stature, slender frame, dusky complexion, glasses, and unassuming demeanor belie the remarkable feats he has accomplished. Yet, his impact speaks volumes. He is the "magician" who orchestrated a remarkable surge in Burundi's rice yield, catapulting it from around 2.5 tons to an impressive 9 to10 tons per hectare, thereby becoming the first foreigner in Burundi's annals to earn the "National Meritorious Achievement Award".

In 2015, Yang Huade, a senior agricultural technician from Weiyuan County, Sichuan Province, embarked on his journey to Burundi. Prior to this assignment, he had contributed to agricultural technology missions in Mozambique and garnered a year's experience in agricultural aid across Africa. However, this assignment held greater responsibilities, as he was handpicked by the Center of International Cooperation Service,Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs to spearhead the third phase of China-aided senior agricultural expert group to Burundi.

Upon touchdown, the Chinese expert group was greeted by a deluge. Yang Huade, attuned to agricultural nuances, swiftly recognized the promise in Burundi's humid climate. Yet, the rural landscape painted a bleak picture. "Weeds ran rampant, and villages lay in disrepair. Many struggled to secure only one or two meals a day, retiring to bed on empty stomachs," remarked Yang Huade, reflecting on the dire circumstances.

Located in the central-eastern part of Africa, Burundi is nicknamed the "Heart of Africa" due to its heart-like shape. As a country heavily reliant on agriculture, 90% of its population engaged in the sector. However, progress stagnated amidst antiquated farming practices, with rudimentary tools like hoes and hands dominating the agricultural landscape.

Faced with the pressing food security crisis in the local area, Yang Huade grappled with only one question: Could the hybrid rice that had fedhundreds of millions of Chinese offer a solution to hunger and poverty in this country? In the first two months in Burundi, Yang scarcely rested, immersing himself in on-site research and exhaustive comparisons, ultimately rallying his expert team to embark on a trial of hybrid rice cultivation in Burundi.

Devoid of prior practical experience and unable to transplant domestic cultivation techniques, Yang Huade recognized that to plant hybrid rice in Africa, he must chart an entirely new course. Thus, they established experimental fields in Ninga Village, Kihanga County, Bubanza Province, Burundi.

The arrival of the Chinese experts piqued the curiosity of local villagers, who observed their unorthodox rice planting methods-sparse sowing, with a mere one-seventh of the usual seeding rate per hectare.

"At first, there was a natural sense of skepticism, but tangible field results speak for themselves," remarked Yang Huade. The experiment yielded remarkable success, with the experimental fields boasting an average rice yield of 10 tons per hectare, surpassing the local average yield by more than threefold. Oneof the"GreenSuperRice"varietieseven shattered records, boasting a yield of 13.86 tons per hectare, the highest ever recorded for African rice.

The high yield record created by Chinese experts caused a sensation. An African news program, "Golden Mountain Investigation", caught wind of the news and sought an interview with Yang Huade. However, he humbly declined, stating, "Chinese people do not seek to boast. Let others assess our achievements." And then, "Golden Mountain Investigation" embarked on a comprehensive six-month investigation, interviewing local farmers, officials, and technicians. Their findings culminated in three articles that lauded the rice trial project spearheaded by the Chinese experts, forecasting "a bright future for hybrid rice development in Africa".

Realizing Rural "Self-Blood Making"

As the gentle breeze rustled through the experimental rice fields, Yang Huade ponderedhow to quickly translatesuch promising trial resultsinto higher productivity and income for local communities.

Moving from trial demonstrations to expanding demonstrations and then to promotion appeared straightforward in theory,but executing this strategy in Burundi was fraught with difficulties.

"Who will invest? The villagers, mired in poverty, have no money to buy seeds and fertilizers," Yang Huade identified the crux of the issue. While technical hurdles were addressed during the trial phase, securing investment became paramount during expansion. The expert group could provide agricultural inputs for the first season, but what about the next and the one after?

In response, the expert group devised the innovative "Productive Input Fund" model. Collaborating with local authorities, they established a mechanism wherein farmers receive agricultural inputs for planting hybrid rice in the first season. After harvest, farmers contribute a portion of their yields to the fund, which is then reinvested for the following season.

The success of the "Productive Input Fund" model was swift and resounding. Empowered by tangible benefits, farmers readily contributed to the fund and actively participated in production endeavors.

With the funding dilemma resolved, Yang Huade recognized the urgent need to transform traditional farming practices in the region. It became imperative to instill a new mindset and embrace modern rice cultivation techniques. "Rice cultivation demands precision at each stage, with operations timed meticulously. The traditional methods in Burundi are sluggish, hindering the timely implementation of technical measures. Coupled with lax field management, maximizing yield becomes a challenge."

To address this, Yang Huade created the training of "youth leaders" to disseminate hybrid rice cultivation techniques among local youths. These leaders served as conduits for knowledge transfer, sharing expertise to fellow farmers and establishing a robust technical dissemination network. Rigorously selected, each youth leader underwent comprehensive theoretical,and on-site training in demonstration villages over a period of approximately three years.

"The students are all very capable, and many of them have become key figures in the local hybrid rice industry." Yang Huade spoke proudly.

NdayikejeEvrard, now the chief of the National Cooperative Economic and Development Agency of Burundi and the inaugural young leader selected, always holds in high regard the training he received from the Chinese expert group. "It was the Chinese expert group that trained me," Ndayikejereminisced, expressing his enduring gratitude for the transformativeexperience.

In 2016, Ndayikeje's journey took a transformative turn when, during a search for a demonstration village site, an expert group encountered him-a post-90s graduate struggling with unemployment. Recognizing his proficiency in English and thirst for knowledge, they appointed him as an agricultural technician. Guided by their mentorship, he absorbed planting techniques and management insights, catapulting him towards prosperity and leadership. Today,Ndayikejestands as one of Burundi's youngest government officials and a key figure in national economic development. In a heartfelt tribute to Yang Huade,Ndayikejehonored him by naming his first child with the middle name "Yang".

The expert group has trained more than 110 young leaders likeNdayikeje, many of whom have emerged as outstanding local experts. Their collective efforts have birthed 56 hybrid rice demonstration villages across 15 provinces in Burundi.

"In some demonstration villages, we start with dozens of hectares. When farmers see the benefits after harvest, they will find ways to expand cultivation, and the development speed is very fast." Yang Huade felt pleased that this sustainable exploration model is gradually demonstrating its strong vitality.

"The assistance from the Chinese expert group is not about 'blood transfusion' but achieving 'self-blood-making' in rural areas. Before carrying out any projects, we consider whether the technology is mature and whether it is economically feasible. Only when farmers experience genuine increases in production and income does it become sustainable." Yang Huade said.

"I want more people in this country to have enough food to eat," Yang Huade said.

Reflecting on the journey, Yang Huade's mind was brimmed with vibrant memories. After nine years of dedicated assistance abroad, he witnessed the remarkable transformation in Burundi. Villagers repaired their homes, siblings of his students went to schools, some bought cars, and many two-story buildings were erected in the demonstration village.

According to the joint report "The Global Report on Food Crises 2023" released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and other institutions, in 2022, there was a sharp rise in severe food insecurity affecting258 million people worldwide.However, Burundi's trajectory defied the norm. Despite being among the 58 countries grappling with severe food crises, the number of people facing severe food insecurity in Burundi dwindled from 2.6 million in 2017 to 1.4 million in 2022.

"Today's life is something we never dared to dream of in the past, all thanks to the tireless efforts of the Chinese expert group." On September 17, 2023, in a spontaneous display of gratitude, Ninga Village, the first hybrid rice demonstration village, convened a gathering. Over 7,000 villagers unanimously requested to confer the "Meritorious Achievement Award" upon the Chinese expert group, thanking the experts for their historic contributions to the

poverty alleviation and sustainable development of the village, and they enshrined their efforts in the village annals.

Due to communication problems, Yang Huade was unable to attend the event that day, but he has always treasured the certificate. "This certificate means a lot to me; it is a token of the villagers' sincere gratitude," he said.

On International Labor Day 2021, Yang Huade was awarded the "National Meritorious Achievement Award" by the President of Burundi himself, in recognition of his outstanding contributions in agriculture, particularly in seed cultivation. Yang Huade became the first foreigner to receive this esteemed accolade in the history of Burundi.

For Yang Huade, the award transcended mere recognition; it served as a beacon of motivation. "I am committed to ensuring that every person in this country has enough to eat, and I strive to reach this goal in this country by 2029."

This fervent desire to secure basic sustenance for all resonated not only from the responsibilities of a foreign agricultural aid expert but also from a profound compassion. Yang Huade was born into a farming family in the 1960s. Due to poverty, he couldn't afford tuition fees and even took a year off to labor in order to scrape together tuition fees. "Seeing the children in Burundi today, I think of my past." Having experienced poverty, his empathy for the people of Burundi was deeply ingrained.

During his dedicated nine years in Africa, Yang Huade witnessed many joyful moments of bountiful rice harvests. Yet, amidst the verdant fields, thoughts of home in China lingered, tinged with regret. Due to his assignment in Burundi during the pandemic, Yang missed his son's wedding. "Even so, my family has given me tremendous understanding and support. Their support is my strongest backing," Yang said.

In January of this year, the sixth phase of the Chinese expert group aid project in Burundi commenced, and Yang Huade returned to Africa once again. In the "Heart of Africa", he is leading the expert group, poised to continue the transformative journey of China's hybrid rice assistance abroad.

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