June 6, 2009

FAO to globally promote China hybrid grains

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has decided to globally promote hybrid grains selected and bred in China's Hebei Province.

The hybrid grains have a maximum yield of 810kg per mu, double of ordinary grains, setting a new world record.

FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf, when reviewing the new breeds on Monday (Jun 1), said many countries are currently growing grain but the situation is far from satisfactory due to many problems such as dry weather.

The new hybrid grains can raise grain yields and quality, and has features such as adversity resistance, water-saving and endurance to soils under extreme conditions.

FAO will help China set up an international hybrid grain training centre to promote the relevant knowledge on technologies of growing hybrid grains.

Currently, six hybrid breeds suitable for production and growing have been selected, and the hybrid breeds have been promoted to one million mu across China for demonstration.

In 2008, developer Zhao Zhihai and a group of researchers successfully tested the new breeders in African countries including Ethiopia and Guinea. They achieved a yield of 300kg per mu, more than doubling that of the local crops.