Editor: Yuan Longping, the "father of hybrid rice," recently gave an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency during the 50th anniversary of the Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences. In the interview, he emphasized that the breakthroughs in hybrid rice breeding have largely resolved the long-standing grain issues in China. He added that the next challenge is to enhance the quality of rice while maintaining high yields. The interview has sparked some debate, as not everyone agrees with his statements.
Yuan Longping, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, is widely recognized for his pioneering work in hybrid rice. At 70 years old, he continues to lead efforts in developing high-yield rice varieties. From 2000 to 2004, under his leadership, Chinese scientists achieved significant milestones, surpassing 700 kg and then 800 kg per mu in yield. His contributions have been instrumental in transforming China's rice production, marking a historic shift in agricultural development.
Despite these achievements, the notion that China's food security issue is fully resolved may be premature. Rice is just one component of the country's diverse food system. In China, dietary patterns vary significantly between the north and south, with wheat being more common in the north and rice in the south. Even if rice production improves, it doesn't necessarily mean all regions are adequately fed. Moreover, recent years have seen frequent natural disasters affecting food output. From 1998 to now, grain production has declined in most years, and Premier Wen Jiabao highlighted challenges in increasing both grain output and farmers' income in his recent government report.
Food security involves more than just quantity—it also includes quality. While China has made progress in production, there is still room for improvement. For instance, Chinese rice is less competitive compared to Thai rice. Academician Yuan himself acknowledged this, stating that improving quality must be the next priority after ensuring high yields.
Another critical issue is the shrinking arable land. According to data from the Ministry of Land and Resources, China’s arable land decreased by 5.424 million mu in the previous year, bringing the per capita farmland close to a dangerous threshold. Illegal land use remains a serious problem, with a sharp rise in violations reported this year. Some local governments have even been involved in such activities, further threatening the availability of farmland.
Population growth adds another layer of complexity. By 2020, China’s population is expected to reach 1.5 billion. To meet the rising demand, grain output needs to increase by about 100 million tons. However, with farmland shrinking and environmental degradation worsening, achieving this goal will be increasingly difficult.
Additionally, insufficient investment in agricultural infrastructure and water management systems has left many irrigation facilities in poor condition. Over two-thirds of large and medium-sized irrigation projects are operating beyond their capacity, reducing the ability to withstand natural disasters and leading to annual losses of up to 10–15 billion kilograms of grain.
If people start believing that China’s food problems are solved, it could lead to complacency. Food security is not just about current supply but about long-term stability. It’s crucial to address illegal land use, pollution, and environmental damage while continuing to improve both yield and quality. Only through sustained efforts can China ensure its food security remains robust and resilient.
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