Harvesting knowledge

"Usually, I head straight to the fields. Some days, I collect crop samples for analysis, such as measuring root length, plant height, leaf area, and chlorophyll content. On other days, I focus on data collection, calculating shoot and root weight, or analyzing plant growth metrics," she said.

Aline especially enjoyed interacting with local farmers, discussing the agricultural techniques they use, and observing their practices.

"These encounters are invaluable because I get to understand the real-world applications of my research and see firsthand the challenges they face," she said, adding that working alongside local farmers has significantly broadened her perspective on sustainable agriculture.

Aline is currently working on several projects. One of them involves measuring the growth patterns of maize under different environmental conditions to better understand how climate variables affect crop yield.

In another experiment, she compares traditional fertilizer application methods with new techniques in maize production to determine which method yields better results and improves soil health.

"I've gained a better understanding of how to approach farming challenges practically and how scientific knowledge can be translated into useful techniques for farming. This gives me a sense of fulfillment, knowing that my work and interactions can positively impact farmers' livelihoods," Aline said.

After completing her experiments, she will return to Beijing in November to start data collection for a meta-analysis.

Similarly, Matthews Kafunda, a 27-year-old from Malawi, is currently studying and conducting experiments in Tasiqiao village, Quzhou.