China will beef up efforts to create higher yields and higher quality production of major food crop varieties, and self-sufficiency in major livestock and poultry varieties by 2030, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences said.
In recent years, CAAS has made significant breakthroughs in key technologies including genome-wide selection, ploidy breeding (a process useful in plant breeding), and genetically modified organisms, which has laid a solid foundation for future research, Zhang [Hescheng, a CAAS official] added.
Wan Jianmin, a CAAS academician, said the plan will resolve the “critical problems” remaining for seeds. Wan was responsible for introducing 50 major tasks to the plan focused on key crop and livestock varieties, and three specific actions involving innovative research, seed enterprises and the creation of a science and technology platform.
The plan aims to reach the development goals for four major crops – rice, wheat, corn, and soybeans – as well as for grain and vegetable seeds, and livestock, poultry and edible oils, Wan said.
“We will strive to achieve high-yield, high-quality self-sufficiency in food crop varieties by 2030, and ensure the absolute security of the country’s rice and wheat,” he said.
