2018年CRI Chinese students impressed by Israel's agricultural achievements

 

A number of Chinese students studying in Israel say they're impressed by the progress being made in that country's agricultural sector¹.

The praise follows a trip to an agricultural research center located in a desert in southern Israel.

The agricultural research center, located in the Negev Desert, has played host to a number of Chinese students studying at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Surrounded by green olive trees, the agricultural center uses tarps to protect the various agricultural products grown at the facility from excessive sunlight and rainfall.

Various vegetables such as cucumbers and eggplants, as well as other vegetables are also being grown inside a greenhouse at the center.

Wu Xiaoyan, a student who's studying the Hebrew language at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, says she's amazed by how many vegetables can be successfully grown in a desert.

"We took a look and sampled some of the vegetables they planted in the desert. I think it's incredible to see that the Israeli people have managed to turn the desert into an oasis², even though water is scarce. As long as you are curious, creative, and willing to explore, you can perform a miracle and even benefit the world," says Wu.

One of the highlights is the use of biology, rather than chemistry, to control pests preying³ on the vegetables.

This involves releasing the pests' natural enemies, often a different form of insect.

Jiang Nan, also a Chinese student studying at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, says the system is impressive in its simplicity⁴.

"I'm really impressed by the biological methods used to cope with pests. Using biological methods rather than pesticides⁵ can ensure that the corps⁶ they plant are secure, organic and healthy," says Jiang.

Special bees from South Africa which are able to survive in desert conditions have also been introduced as pollinators for the plants.

Tour organizer Matanya Arad says they enjoy being able to take different groups through their facility, suggesting it can help shore up China-Israel ties.

"We really want that Chinese students will know about Israel, as China is a big country in the world, and we want to spread the truth about Israel throughout China, so we can get the next generation of businessmen, politicians or diplomats⁷ (from China) to know the real facts about Israel, about how Israeli people live in the world, about how Israel has contributed to the world in agriculture, in re-use of water. Those are facts that more people should know about," says Arad.

Additional visits and seminars involving more Chinese students are being planned for the future.

1 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

2 oasis   

n.（沙漠中的）绿洲，宜人的地方

参考例句：

• They stopped for the night at an oasis.他们在沙漠中的绿洲停下来过夜。
• The town was an oasis of prosperity in a desert of poverty.该镇是贫穷荒漠中的一块繁荣的“绿洲”。

3 preying   

v.掠食( prey的现在分词 )；掠食；折磨；（人）靠欺诈为生

参考例句：

• This problem has been preying on my mind all day. 这个问题让我伤了整整一天脑筋。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• For a while he let his eyes idly follow the preying bird. 他自己的眼睛随着寻食的鸟毫无目的地看了一会儿。 来自辞典例句

4 simplicity   

n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯

参考例句：

• She dressed with elegant simplicity.她穿着朴素高雅。
• The beauty of this plan is its simplicity.简明扼要是这个计划的一大特点。

5 pesticides   

n.杀虫剂( pesticide的名词复数 )；除害药物

参考例句：

• vegetables grown without the use of pesticides 未用杀虫剂种植的蔬菜
• There is a lot of concern over the amount of herbicides and pesticides used in farming. 人们对农业上灭草剂和杀虫剂的用量非常担忧。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 corps   

n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组

参考例句：

• The medical corps were cited for bravery in combat.医疗队由于在战场上的英勇表现而受嘉奖。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

7 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》