Kenndy Zimba, Degree of Master, Zambia, graduated in 2011

Before i came to China,i was employed as an agriculture officer in the ministry of agriculture and livestock. I was based in northern province,Kasama district. upon return from China, management sent me to mpika district to act as senior agriculture officer(sao).i was in charge of the department of agriculture. In 2014,after the retirement of the incumbent district agriculture coordinator (daco) for mporokoso district,management again sent me to act as daco for that district. I was in charge of all the ministerial functions in the district. the degree i obtained from China gave me an advantage point to other contenders. The degrees from China are fast being recognised and appreciated in Zambia. For instance in banking,engineering,construction etc,all are preferring Chinese trained personnel.

After i had come back from China,i assumed the role of daco three years. the degree from China is very responsive and direct related to the responsibilities of the managers of the ministry of agriculture. The agriculture sector is one of the major economic sector the government attaches great importance. It is the government belief and the nations belief that,agriculture is the key in moving people from poverty,and create employment.

I changed to Zambia agricultural research institute(zari) because of personal interests.My job is: agriculture research officer. i am a Team leader of the sorghum millet improvement (smip) team. The job is highly competitive. My degree from cau, gave me competitive advantage.

The Zambia agricultural research institute(zari) is a department of the ministry of agriculture and livestock. its tasks among others is the developing of innovations and technologies for agriculture,in the effort of supporting the small scale farmers increase food security, nutritional security and increase ,household incomes. Zari is at national level,and is represented at regional level( there are three ecological regions in Zambia. they are grouped according to the soil type,rainfall received,and vegetation). I am based at misamfu regional research centre in Kasama northern province. This is in regional three(comprising of northern,luapula, copperbelt, muchinga and north western provinces).I had worked for none years in extension,and i saw that work is generally routinely. Therefore my decision to move to research. its only in research or academic where you don't get routine work. I felt that research could be more challenging than extension. This week,my station was launching the food and agriculture organisation(FAO) sponsored project. The project is on rice production and productivity. this is part of the government's drive on crop diversification. my contribution into this was humbling.

The trip we undertook in 2011 in Chongqing,facilitated by the iprcc and chod, will always remain unforgettable,was very inspiring especially to one studying development studies. My mind was changed,and since then i believe that the greatest players in development are the people themselves.

Generally,in Zambia,most employers and parents have desires to have their children train in China. This is for one simple reason: graduates from China have that unique commitment to duty which is a typical characteristic of Chinese people. They tend to beware that development will never come from outside,but the nationals themselves should strive hard. Step by step,development comes.