A corn species is pictured at a press conference of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 22, 2025.

Chinese scientists have announced a series of major breakthroughs in developing "precision-designed" seeds that can increase crop yields while reducing fertilizer use and enhancing disease resistance, marking a significant advance for food security and sustainable agriculture.

At a press conference held on Monday, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) unveiled the scientific achievements of its strategic priority research program, "Precision Seed Design and Breeding." Launched in November 2019, this flagship initiative has brought together experts from over 30 institutions to address pressing challenges in agriculture, including excessive fertilizer use, frequent crop diseases, and limited arable land. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)