August 23, 2007

China sets up national soy research center

China on Wednesday (Aug 22) established a national soy engineering research center in the northeastern province of Jilin to enhance the nation's soy technology.

The center, located in Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences (JAAS) based in Changchun, capital of Jilin, cost an estimated RMB 20 million (US$2.66 million).

Yue Derong, president of the JAAS, said the center would focus on hybrid soy research and development. The center has currently a staff of 82 people, including 51 researchers and aims to breed more than 20 species of hybrid and high-productive soy by 2009.