Day 6- Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Science (JAAS)/ Nanjing Agricultural University (NAU)

Eighty-two years ago Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences was created. Most of the land is used for agricultural fields. Thirteen institutions are at this particular academy. There are various collaborations with universities around the world. Three hectares make up the vegetable research station. Breeding work includes crops such as tomato, watermelon, beans, and mushrooms. They are a non-profit institution. Improved seeds are given to seed companies to be distributed to growers.

The orchards we visited were for peach germ plasm. 700 extensions are distributed across of China. The bags over the peaches protect the fruit to decrease disease, keep the skin clean and create uniform color during production. One person will bag an average of 1200 peaches. They will wait until the size is a little smaller than ping pong ball before bagging. Peach production has increased in China of the years. The goal of their research is to improve quality of the fruit. On average a peach tree can produce 250-300 peaches per season. They also conduct strawberry research to breed better varieties of strawberries. They are housed in plastic hoop houses between November-May for protected agriculture. They are breeding to develop new cultivars for protected greenhouse production. They use double layered plastic on their hoop houses in southern production. Price may be as high as high 20 RMB per lb. China produces ten times the amount of strawberries that California produces.

This afternoon we got to visit with students from Nanjing University. Everyone introduced themselves and discussed what they are majoring and their interest. We then broke up into smaller groups and got to interact with each other. This was a great experience. I learned so much about Chinese culture and the importance of education to Chinese families. Because most Chinese families only have one child it is important that the child becomes well educated and test extremely high on the entry exam to college. If they do not pass this exam they can't attend college. They only have one shot to pass and if they don't their entire life plan changes.

It was an eye opener to our cultural differences. I asked a student what she likes to do fort fun and she said nothing because she has no time to play. Their whole life revolves around studies and getting good grades. She said her parents wanted her to have a happy life and attend college. With an education you are able to be successful and happy. I asked her if she was happy and she said no. It makes me think about how I blessed I am to have the life I do and ability to choose my life path. I believe in both cultures there are many students who don't want to attend school but are forced to because it is their parents dream not their own.

Photos from right to left- Peaches, High tunnel greenhouse of peaches, strawberries, One of NAUs driveway