“ Let’s go and take a look at the poverty alleviation project supported by our college.” On Oct. 12th, the College of Biology and Pharmacy of the Three Gorges University organized 22 foreign students to come to Yizhiduxiu Vegetable Cooperative in Yangjinfan Village, Zhicheng Town, Yidu City, to experience the targeted poverty alleviation in Yichang.

　　The chairman of the cooperative, Liu Zhongqin, one of the farmers of the targeted poverty alleviation, has transferred nearly 100 acres of land to plant pollution-free vegetables. This year, the College of Biology and Pharmacy of the Three Gorges University has promoted the cultivation of Stropharia rugoso-annulata as targeted poverty alleviation in seven counties and cities of the city. As one of the pilot projects, Yizhiduxiu will plant five mu in the first period.

　　Under the guidance of Yang Jin, an associate professor of the college, the foreign students scattered corncob debris and strains on the paved straw successively. “That simple? When will it grow out of the ground?” “Little chili” from Zimbabwe asked. “Two months!” Yang Jin explained that the previous clinker cultivation had to ferment the straw first, which took a long time and polluted the environment. Now the raw material cultivation is adopted, and the procedure is simplified and environmental protection. Zhang Houzhi, the secretary of the poverty alleviation in the cooperative, said: “At present, the strains use liquid fermentation, and the cost is less than half of the original. The output value per mu can reach 20,000 RMB with the profit of about 13,000 RMB.”

　　“Wow”! The foreign students exclaimed for the profit created by the small mushroom industry . “Can all the mushrooms been sold out?” Larisa from the Gabonese Republic asked doubtfully.

　　“Now the mushroom is in short supply, and it can be planted in large areas in the future.” Yang Jin said that deep processing technologies for the sauce of Stropharia rugoso-annulata, canned foods, fresh food, and ready-to-eat foods were mature, so as to realize the deep processing of products in the future.

　　“The combination of industry, education and research promotes poverty eradication. That is what we should do!” Zhang Houzhi said. Foreign students nodded their heads in agreement.

　　At a distance, members of the cooperative were loosening the soil for strawberry fields, and foreign students came to watch it. “After loosening the soil, the strawberry field will be covered with plastic film.” Zhang Houzhi smiled and said, “Who want to have a try?” Chen Aimin, a freshman from the Republic of Liberia, took over the hoe with interest and knocked from side to side like a farmer. After learning that most of the members of cooperative were the farmers of the targeted poverty alleviation, he said: “I think that China’s per capita resources are little, and farmers must be poor. But it is beyond my expectation that farmers in Yichang can bear hardships and get rich through cleverness or hard work.”

　　At the vegetable base, foreign students learned about advanced agricultural technology models such as fish and vegetable co-existing and micro-drip irrigation. Sally from the Gabonese Republic took a picture of the micro-drip irrigation demonstration with a mobile phone. After asking the technicians for details, she said: “In my hometown, farmers water the crops like watering the flowers, which is very hard. This micro-drip irrigation technology is economical and labor-saving. And I hope I can join the rural areas of Gabon in the future.”

　　Foreign students watched and praised all the way, with the laughter echoed in the beautiful countryside. (Journalist Chen Lu, Correspondent Liu Shicheng)