Editor: Yuan Longping, the "father of hybrid rice," recently gave an exclusive interview to Xinhua News Agency during the 50th anniversary of the Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences. In the interview, he emphasized that the breakthrough in hybrid rice breeding has largely addressed the long-standing issue of grain shortages in China. However, he also highlighted that the next challenge is to improve the quality of rice while maintaining high yields. The interview was published on September 18, sparking some debate among experts and the public about his statements.
Yuan Longping, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and widely recognized as the "father of hybrid rice," stated in the interview: "The breakthrough in hybrid rice breeding has basically solved the grain problems that have plagued China for thousands of years." At 70 years old, he continues to work alongside other scientists to develop hybrid rice varieties capable of producing over 900 kg per mu. From 2000 to 2004, under his leadership, Chinese researchers achieved significant milestones, reaching 700 kg and then 800 kg per mu in yield.
Academician Yuan’s contributions to hybrid rice are globally celebrated, and his work has led to historic advancements in China’s rice production. However, some argue that the claim that the "basic problem of grain issues" has been resolved may be premature.
First, rice is just one component of China's diverse food system. In China, food consumption varies significantly between the north and the south—wheat is more common in the north, while rice dominates the south. Even if rice production is stable, it doesn’t mean all regions have sufficient food. Moreover, recent years have seen a series of natural disasters affecting agricultural output. From 1998 to now, total grain production has declined in most years. Premier Wen Jiabao acknowledged in this year’s government work report that there are still challenges, including difficulty in increasing both grain production and farmers’ income, as well as hidden risks to food security.
Second, quality remains a concern. Food security involves not only quantity but also quality. If either factor is lacking, the food problem isn’t fully solved. For example, Chinese rice is less competitive than Thai rice in international markets, indicating room for improvement. Even Yuan Longping himself acknowledges that "the next task is to improve quality while ensuring high yields."
Third, the reduction in arable land is a growing problem. According to data from the Ministry of Natural Resources, China’s arable land decreased by 5.424 million mu in the previous year, with per capita farmland dropping to 1.40 mu. This is approaching the safety threshold. Illegal land use remains a serious issue, with nearly 20% more cases reported this year compared to last. In some areas, local governments are involved in illegal land occupation, further reducing farmland and threatening food production.
Fourth, population growth adds pressure. By 2020, China’s population is expected to reach 1.5 billion. To meet demand, grain output needs to rise by 100 million tons from the current level. But with farmland shrinking, achieving this goal will be extremely challenging.
Fifth, environmental degradation and insufficient investment in agriculture pose additional threats. Some regions prioritize GDP growth over sustainability, leading to severe pollution and soil damage. Over two-thirds of large and medium-sized irrigation systems are operating beyond capacity, reducing resilience to natural disasters. Annual grain output is estimated to drop by 10–15 billion kilograms due to these issues.
If people believe the food problem is already solved, complacency could set in. While China isn’t facing immediate shortages, long-term food security concerns remain. We must act urgently to combat illegal land use and pollution, protect limited farmland, and continue improving both yield and quality to ensure national food security.
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