When agronomy teacher Ren Aizhi first arrived at Tonga College in 2020, she was struck by the lack of agricultural facilities. “Students had to carry buckets to water the vegetables,” she recalled. Determined to make a difference, Ren and her team from the College of Agronomy at Liaocheng University set out to revolutionize the school’s approach to agriculture.
By 2021, their efforts bore fruit. With the support of the Ambassador Fund from the Chinese Embassy in Tonga, the school installed solar-powered water wells, water storage towers, and drip irrigation systems. “We also introduced water-saving and integrated water-fertilizer technologies,” Ren told CGTN.
The improvements didn’t stop there. The team equipped the school with multimedia teaching tools and practical farming materials, making classes more engaging for students. “At first, some students lacked motivation,” Ren admitted. “But as we introduced new methods, more students became interested in what they called the ‘Chinese teachers’ vegetable garden.'”
The impact was significant. Agricultural production at the school soared, and the vegetables grown at the experimental base were shared with faculty, the school cafeteria, and even the Ministry of Education. “Sometimes, students took the produce home to share with their families—they all enjoyed it very much,” Ren smiled.
Since 2019, Liaocheng University has dispatched two groups of seven teachers to Tonga, teaching Chinese language, agricultural theory, and practical farming techniques. Over three years, nearly 300 students have received systematic agricultural training.
Their work hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2021, the Palace Office of the Kingdom of Tonga conveyed King Tupou VI’s sincere appreciation for their contributions. “I miss the students, the people, and the sea there,” Ren shared.
This August, Ren plans to return to Tonga with a new team focused on research and demonstration of breeding technologies. “We’ll conduct agricultural technology exchanges and offer short-term training to local teachers and students,” she said. The team will also provide agricultural machinery, including tractors, rotary plows, and equipment for building seedling sheds.
Ren’s dedication exemplifies the profound impact that passionate educators can have on communities. As she prepares for her journey back to Tonga, she looks forward to continuing the work that has already transformed so many lives.
