For Indian student Aarafat Chouhan, a visit to Qiantang district in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, offered a close look into how technology is improving rural life and agricultural practices.

　　"Honestly, I was most excited to see smart farming and digital tech in action right here on the ground," he said.

　　Chouhan is among dozens of international students who are members of the BRICS Youth Agricultural Development Promotion Alliance, which was officially launched in Qiantang in June. The alliance, comprised of 58 students from BRICS countries and partners, is focused on modern agriculture, rural governance and the integration of agriculture and tourism.

　　The initiative is aimed at turning international students into observers and potential participants in rural development, granting them a firsthand experience in local agricultural projects and an opportunity to explore how China's rural vitalization practices can be replicated in other countries.

　　Chouhan, a student at China Jiliang University in Hangzhou, highlighted how agriculture is deeply connected to people's lives and the economy in India, adding, however, that farmers continue to face significant challenges.

　　"What really draws me to Qiantang is seeing how practical technology is put straight into the hands of everyday farmers," Chouhan said. "It's not just tech for the sake of tech, but actually improving real livelihoods. That's a model I really want to understand better."

　　He is also interested in how the district is making rural areas more attractive to young entrepreneurs. It builds incubators, offers policy incentives and provides solid digital infrastructure so that starting an agricultural business actually makes financial sense, he said.