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.
"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.
(Editor:Fu Bo)
Trump factor loomed large as GOP leaders pushed through Ukraine aid
China, EU agree to promote people
Glamorous Rosamund Pike sports a grungy ensemble and heavy winged eyeliner alongside Anya Taylor
Latest I'm A Celebrity eviction sees campmates at a loss as they struggle to feed themselves
Trump factor loomed large as GOP leaders pushed through Ukraine aid
Two killed in shooting at Ferguson, Missouri, gas station; officer fired shots
China condemns attack on Iranian embassy in Syria
US Olympic committee strikes sponsorship deal to help athletes get degrees after they retire
Chicago 'rat hole' has been removed
Girls Aloud poke fun at iconic clip where Cheryl insisted they would NEVER get back together
Chinese lighthouse factories light up journey to new industrialization
Microsoft invests $1.5 billion in AI firm G42, overseen by UAE's national security adviser