Chen Qingshan and his team at Northeast Agricultural University in Heilongjiang Province are on a mission to accelerate soybean breeding. Their goal? To enhance China's domestic production capacity and achieve self-sufficiency in soybeans, a critical step amid rising geopolitical tensions like the Ukraine crisis.
Soybeans have long been a vulnerability for China, with reliance on imports posing challenges to national resilience. \"The soybean is a pain point for the country,\" says Chen, highlighting the urgency of his research.
By focusing on soybean germplasm—the living genetic resources essential for seed breeding—Chen's team aims to make significant breakthroughs. These advancements could reduce dependence on foreign imports and stabilize the soybean supply chain.
President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of germplasm security, declaring it a matter of national security in July 2021. Seeds, often underestimated, are the fundamental \"chips\" of agriculture, underpinning food security and economic stability.
As global dynamics shift, China's commitment to strengthening its agricultural foundations through innovative seed breeding showcases a strategic move towards greater self-reliance and resilience.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com