Yunnan University's perennial rice spurs BRI tech services

Perennial rice variety Yunda 107 – the result of research by Yunnan University – generates a bumper harvest in Uganda. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

During the third Belt and Road International Cooperation Summit Forum on Oct 18, the Practical Cooperation Project List was released, which included the promotion of perennial rice technology in countries like Uganda. Yunnan University – located in Kunming, capital of Southwest China's Yunnan province – is at the forefront of developing perennial rice technology to help countries involved in Belt and Road Initiative.

Currently, perennial rice technology has been trialed in several African and Southeast Asian countries involved in the BRI, including Uganda, Madagascar, Malawi, Burundi, Kenya and Laos.

In 2023, the yield of perennial rice in Uganda's trial exceeded 500 kilograms per mu (0.07 hectare) for a single planting season, with the potential to achieve three planting seasons per year.

Moving forwards, Yunnan University will continue to conduct perennial rice trials in countries involved in the BRI – promoting agricultural innovation, contributing to global food security and supporting sustainable agricultural development in these countries.