2024 China Seed Congress Highlights Agricultural Innovations And Global Crop Varieties

The 2024 China Seed Congress, a pivotal event in the agricultural sector, commenced this week in Sanya, Hainan, drawing attention to the significant strides China has made in agriculture. The congress, spanning four days, features an indoor exhibition that showcases the Sanya Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City's construction and the agricultural progress within Hainan province. Notably, over 40 enterprises, including industry giants like China Seed Group and Longping High-tech, are participating, offering visitors a glimpse into the latest advancements and innovations.

An additional exhibition at the Yazhou National Modern Agricultural Industrial Park is displaying an impressive array of approximately 2,322 crop varieties from across the globe. These include a diverse selection of rice, corn, melons, vegetables, and cereals. This exhibition underscores China's commitment to agricultural diversity and innovation.

Song Weibo, General Manager of China National Seed Group Co., Ltd., highlighted the company's significant growth since its establishment in the 'Nanfan Silicon Valley' in 2021. The company's revenue from the domestic seed industry soared to 5.2 billion yuan last year. Notably, new varieties contributed to 20 percent of this revenue, with a market share of approximately 10.6 percent for China's four major crops.

Ying Minjie, Vice President of Syngenta Group China, stressed the importance of accelerating the development of new quality productive forces. This includes increased investment in scientific research, enhanced cooperation with research institutes, and the application of digital agriculture and new breeding technologies to elevate farmer incomes.

The congress also marked the opening ceremony for a new Ministry of Agriculture key laboratory. Additionally, it witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements on projects such as multi-crop saline tolerance gene application and soybean variety development between Syngenta Group China and China Seed Group Co., Ltd.

Moreover, Syngenta Group China has extended its support beyond domestic borders for years, aiding countries along the Belt and Road Initiative with China's agricultural "going global" strategy. One notable project by Win-all Hi-Tech Seed Co. in Angola produced over 40,000 tonnes of grain from more than 8,500 hectares. The use of molecular breeding techniques has significantly increased local farmers' yields by over 30 percent in some regions.

This congress not only highlights China's advancements in agricultural technology but also its role in supporting global food security through innovative breeding techniques and international cooperation. The event serves as a testament to the country's ongoing efforts to enhance agricultural productivity both domestically and worldwide.

With inputs from WAM