China uses science and technology to enhance biological cultivation and diversify seed types

Employing scientific and technological innovations, China has considerably amplified its biological breeding sector. This development has significantly contributed to the stability of the country's supply of grain and other vital agricultural products.

In a drive to revitalize its seed industry, China has made substantial strides forward, achieving several notable breakthroughs in recent years.

As per data from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China has successfully bred three new white-feather broiler chicken varieties on its own, putting an end to its earlier total reliance on imports. These new breeds bagged a market share of 25.1 percent in 2023 and marked their initial export in the last year.

In the previous year, China was successful in cultivating a new variety of oilseed rape that has a growth period of around 169 days only. This condensed growth cycle is beneficial for farmers as they can make full use of southern China's winter fallow fields to cultivate oilseed rape, without affecting the planting of the early season rice in the subsequent year.

China has also succeeded in setting up an independent and thorough research and development system for bio-breeding. It has effectively secured its own intellectual property rights and key technologies regarding vital genes and genetic features, such as ones offering resistance against insects and herbicides, drought and salt, and those improving nutritional quality.

37 genetically modified corn varieties and 14 genetically modified soybean varieties from the country have recently passed preliminary tests according to the ministry. This significant advancement marks the commencement of the industrialization of bio-breeding.

These genetically engineered crops have demonstrated excellent traits of herbicide tolerance and insect resistance. They have also projected an increase of about 10-percent in yields, hence indicating a substantial potential for development.

In the context of agriculture, seeds play a critical role in the industry's growth. The acceleration of the promotion and application of transgenic technology is an essential choice for enhancing international competitiveness in the future and optimizing industry division. It stands as a vital measure to assure the country's food security and foster the sustainable evolution of agricultural science and technology.

Official statistics relay that the contribution rate of improved breeds to the increment in grain yield presently exceeds 45 percent. As a central focal point for the growth of the seed industry, sci-tech innovation will assist in elevating China's agricultural sci-tech proficiency and in bridging the production capacity disparity between China and some leading foreign countries.

"In the forthcoming times, the primary objectives will be to amplify seed production and improve its quality, to slash the utilization of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and reduce losses inflicted by natural calamities," stated Li Jiayang, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Olivia Brown