A delegation of 29 faculty and students from Huazhong Agricultural University's College of Resources & Environment and College of Plant Science & Technology participated in a 14-day summer exchange program from July 19 to Aug 2 at Nottingham Trent University in the UK. The program focused on "Smart Agriculture and Future Crops" and featured a diverse curriculum.
The delegation engaged in specialized courses, practical training, field visits, and academic seminars centered on cutting-edge topics like smart agriculture and the application of geographic information systems.
Participants gained hands-on experience and knowledge in core areas such as vertical farming systems, LED light cultivation, and plant nutrition. They also learned about the design principles of multi-layer planting systems and how different light colors affect photosynthesis.
A key highlight of the trip was a visit to the 180-year-old Rothamsted Research, a global leader in agricultural science. The students toured the institute's sample archive, which houses soil and seed samples dating back to 1843. Experts explained how these "time capsules" are used to conduct long-term research on the impact of climate change on agriculture, giving students a strong appreciation for the importance of sustained data collection and observation.
Additionally, the group participated in a specialized training session on agricultural drone technology, learning the principles and applications of drones for tasks like fertilization and pest identification.
They also held academic discussions with Nottingham Trent University students on topics like precision agriculture, vertical farming, and agricultural big data, fostering international exchange and collaboration.