Newsletter | Chinese technology promotes modern cotton planting in Benin | Project team | Benin
Cotonou, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese technology helps modernize cotton cultivation in Benin
In June, the rainy season arrives in Benin, and it is the right time to plant cotton. In the village of Meilicheng near the central city of Parakou, Donatien Ezin, a villager, found farm tools and prepared to loosen the soil behind his house. Since becoming a demonstration household of the China-aided Benin cotton technical assistance project, Ezin has deeply experienced the convenience brought by agricultural mechanization.
"Chinese agricultural experts brought mechanized cotton planting, which greatly improved planting efficiency," Ezin said, pointing to his own cotton field in the distance. "Agricultural machinery has greatly saved our labor time. The planting of these 6 hectares of cotton fields will be completed soon."
Parakou is one of the important cotton producing areas in Benin, and cotton planting is the main source of income for local farmers. Since 2013, the China-aided Benin cotton technical assistance project has been implemented in the region, and the third phase of work has been successfully completed. Over the past decade, Chinese experts have carried out work such as cotton breeding, planting technology demonstration and promotion, agricultural talent training and agricultural machinery technology guidance in accordance with local conditions in Benin, significantly improving local cotton production and quality, and promoting the modernization of cotton planting in Benin.
Agronomist Shen Zhiwan participated in the first and third phases of the project and witnessed the tremendous changes in the lives of local cotton farmers. "When the first phase of the project started, there were only a few adobe and thatched houses near our project site. Now, all we can see are newly built brick and tile houses."
The newly built brick bungalow of Ejin's family has 5 rooms, and the family lives happily. After being selected as a demonstration household, under the guidance of experts from the project team, Ejin mastered scientific planting techniques and improved planting efficiency with the help of agricultural machinery, gradually increasing cotton production from 1.2 tons per hectare to 2 tons.
"With the same farmland, my family's cotton grows better, and relatives and friends always come to me to ask for the secret. I tell them that it's all thanks to the Chinese experts," said Ejin.
Akilu Artes is a well-known cotton grower in Meilicheng Village. He often goes to the cotton fields with Chinese experts to "diagnose and prescribe medicine." Artes started working for the project team in 2018 and participated in training on the use of agricultural machinery and cotton planting. He was gradually promoted from warehouse manager to cotton production supervisor.
Artes bought a small tractor and saved money to buy more agricultural machinery to further expand cotton production. "I hope to learn more about cotton planting from Chinese experts and pass it on to other villagers to help them increase cotton production."
According to Shou Xiaoyong, leader of the third phase project team, since its launch in 2021, the third phase project has carried out 22 training sessions, and the trainees have become key talents in promoting mechanized and scientific planting of cotton in the local area.
"We have brought new agricultural tools, new equipment and new technologies to local residents to help improve the quality of Benin's cotton production." Shou Xiaoyong expressed the hope that the mechanization of cotton production can be promoted to other central and northern regions to increase Benin's national cotton production, so that more farmers can feel the benefits of agricultural mechanization and improve their lives.
Yves Koba, the head of Belleville Village, expressed his gratitude to the project team: "Thanks to the aid project, many people in the village can afford to build houses, buy motorcycles and even cars. The mechanization of cotton production has changed the way of working here, increased cotton production and our living standards."
Koba told reporters that before the project was launched, there were less than 100 cotton growers in the village. Later, more and more villagers were attracted by Chinese technology. Currently, there are more than 300 households in Meilicheng Village engaged in cotton planting.
Over the years, the Chinese experts have forged a deep friendship with the villagers. The project team donated to the village school and gave school supplies and bicycles to local children. Koba said: "The Chinese experts have made our life in the beautiful city village more beautiful. I hope this project can continue."
