Chen Qingshan and his team at Northeast Agricultural University are racing against time to accelerate the breeding of new soybean varieties. Their mission: to enhance China’s soybean production capacity and achieve self-sufficiency in this essential crop.
“The soybean is a pain point for the country,” Chen, a soybean breeding expert, remarked. Situated in Heilongjiang Province, the Chinese mainland’s leading soybean production base, his team is at the forefront of addressing this critical challenge.
Their research focuses on breakthroughs in soybean germplasm—living genetic resources that are fundamental to seed breeding. By improving germplasm, they aim to expedite domestic soybean production and reduce reliance on imports.
This objective has gained urgency amid increasing geopolitical tensions, including the prolonged Ukraine crisis. “Tiny and trivial as they may seem, seeds are the ‘chips’ of agriculture,” Chen noted, emphasizing the strategic importance of seeds.
Recognizing this significance, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated in July 2021 that germplasm security should be elevated to the strategic height of national security. This directive underscores China’s commitment to securing its agricultural foundation amidst global uncertainties.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
