YNU prevails in agricultural technology innovation

In the last year, the faculty and students of the School of Agriculture at Yunnan University (YNU) have rooted themselves in the front lines of agricultural production, carrying out work to accelerate modern agricultural technology innovation.

Under the leadership of Professor Hu Fengyi, the perennial rice team has bred the world's first approved perennial rice variety. According to estimates, using this technology can save about 320 yuan ($44) per mu (0.07 hectares) per season in rice planting costs. This reduces production costs by about 50 percent, as well as solves the problem of labor shortage in rural areas.

Hu's team researches perennial rice. [Photo/WeChat account of Yunnan University]

This achievement was named one of the "Top 10 Scientific Breakthroughs of 2022" by the journal Science, becoming the only "scientific breakthrough" title selected in the global agricultural category. Not long ago, this technology was included in the African Union's agricultural technology promotion framework and listed in the African Union's Seed and Biotechnology 2024-2025 Plan.

The team led by Professor Liu Dandan is promoting new early-maturing apple varieties through new technologies and new models in the Western Yunnan Plateau. This team is also experimenting on cultivating temperate fruits in subtropical regions, and establishing the first intelligent dwarf apple rootstock planting demonstration garden in Yunnan province.

This project was selected as one of the fifth batch of typical projects for rural vitalization by the Ministry of Education.

Liu's team researches new technologies for early-maturing apple varieties. [Photo/WeChat account of Yunnan University]

As agricultural graduate students continue to reform and practice new cultivation techniques in the university's Science and Technology Backyard, they are achieving significant results. As recognition of its commitment to its students, YNU won one National Teaching Achievement Award last year.