Pic story: Rwandan student focuses on maize study in China

Gatera checks the maize at a field affiliated to Anhui Agricultural University in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Aug. 13, 2024. Gatera, a 31-year-old Rwandan, is a PhD student at Anhui Agricultural University, specializing in maize breeding. In 2019, Gatera arrived in Hefei of Anhui Province to pursue a master’s degree with the support of a Chinese government scholarship, and continued his doctoral studies at the university since then.
During the summer vacation, Gatera and his classmates kept themselves occupied in the laboratory, by observing pollen samples and collecting experimental data. By studying the effects of heat stress and drought stress on the pollen of maize, Gatera focused on developing drought-resistant and heat-tolerant maize varieties. He believes that this research is quite meaningful in the context of global warming.
“In my hometown of Rwanda, maize is one of the main crops, but agricultural technology is relatively underdeveloped. China has advanced technology and is willing to share it with countries in need. I want to bring the knowledge that I learnt in China back to my hometown and to contribute to the development of agriculture there,” Gatera said.
Gatera regards the late legendary Chinese scientist Yuan Longping as his idol, believing that Yuan’s work with hybrid rice has solved food security issues in many parts of the world and has inspired many young researchers like himself. “I hope that through my studies and research, Africa can produce more food and improve people’s lives,” he said. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

A drone photo shows Gatera (top) and his classmate studying at a maize field affiliated to Anhui Agricultural University in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Aug. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

Gatera observes the maize at a field affiliated to Anhui Agricultural University in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Aug. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

Gatera checks the maize at a field affiliated to Anhui Agricultural University in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Aug. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

A drone photo shows Gatera (R) and his classmate studying at a maize field affiliated to Anhui Agricultural University in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Aug. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

Gatera and his classmate stroll on the campus of Anhui Agricultural University in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Aug. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

Gatera does research work at laboratory of Anhui Agricultural University in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Aug. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

Gatera (C) and his doctoral mentor Song Youhong (R) study at Anhui Agricultural University in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Aug. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

Gatera (R) and his classmate observe pollen samples at laboratory of Anhui Agricultural University in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Aug. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

Gatera looks for books at a library of Anhui Agricultural University in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Aug. 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

Gatera and his classmate prepare chemical sprays at a maize field affiliated to Anhui Agricultural University in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Aug. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Fu Tian)

Gatera makes a video call with his family member on the campus of Anhui Agricultural University in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Aug. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Fu Tian)

Gatera plays badminton on the campus of Anhui Agricultural University in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Aug. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

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