November 23, 2024 | 03:45 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Tuesday- 22:36, 30/04/2024

Hybrid rice market expands in Asia

(VAN) The increased yields of a hybrid rice strain developed in China have helped countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative to bolster their food security.
Honglian hybrid rice, which is resistant to diseases and pests and can tolerate high temperatures, grows in the Philippines.

Honglian hybrid rice, which is resistant to diseases and pests and can tolerate high temperatures, grows in the Philippines.

"Malaysia has expressed the pressing need to introduce Chinese hybrid rice seeds and planting techniques to alleviate local food shortages," Ding Junping, the head of Wuhan Guoying Seed Corporation, said at a national agricultural enterprises forum in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, early this month.

He said Honglian hybrid rice has gained recognition in South Asian and Southeast Asian countries such as Pakistan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Bangladesh and Vietnam.

Honglian hybrid rice was developed in the 1970s by Zhu Yingguo, who is an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, dean of the life sciences institute at Wuhan University and the company's chief scientist.

It is of excellent quality, resistant to diseases and pests and can tolerate high temperatures, all useful characteristics in BRI countries.

"Last year, trial plantings of various strains developed by the company, such as Honglian hybrid rice and the water-saving, drought-resistant rice, were carried out in Sarawak and Sabah in Malaysia," Ding said.

"The yield reached 11.08 metric tons of grain per hectare, representing an increase of more than 120 percent compared to local varieties and garnering high recognition from the local governments, agricultural authorities and farming communities."

A delegation from Sarawak's agricultural department visited the company in January for technological exchanges and business negotiations.

Ding said that a cooperation agreement has been reached to expand the Malaysian market. The company plans to export 300 to 500 tons of rice seeds this year and 1,000 tons next year. The export volume is scheduled to reach 3,000 tons in three years, earning more than $10 million.

In the Philippines, the export volume of hybrid rice seeds has reached 10,000 tons a year, generating earnings of $30 million, he added.

HD

(Chinadaily)

Gaza food production ‘decimated’ with 70% of farmland hit

Gaza food production ‘decimated’ with 70% of farmland hit

(VAN) Israeli attacks have destroyed huge areas of land used for crops, with 90% of cattle killed, analysis shows.

Improving safety at sea at a time of climate change

Improving safety at sea at a time of climate change

(VAN) Interview with Manuel Barange, Director of FAO’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Division.

British farmers warn of bitter harvest

British farmers warn of bitter harvest

(VAN) Finances, politics and a cultural divide push the agriculture sector to the brink and stir up anger.

Small farms key to taking on hunger

Small farms key to taking on hunger

(VAN) Modest operations account for more than 90% of global food producers.

What the farmers' protest tells us about their argument with the government

What the farmers' protest tells us about their argument with the government

(VAN) The farmers' demonstration was best summed up in two images: real tractors being driven by farmers around Parliament Square, and beside them a collection of toy tractors being peddled around by their children.

FAO urges all its Members and partners to join the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty

FAO urges all its Members and partners to join the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty

(VAN) G20’s initiative is officially launched in Brazil. FAO will host the Global Alliance’s Support Mechanism.

COP29 showcases China’s progress in green transition

COP29 showcases China’s progress in green transition

(VAN) China has provided and mobilized more than 177 billion yuan of project funds since 2016 in support of other developing countries' climate response, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Read more