Homebred crop varieties cover 95% of China's farmland

China steadily advanced the initiative to invigorate the seed industry in 2025. Domestically bred crop varieties now cover 95% of the country's total planting area, while the market shares of domestically developed seed and breeding resources in livestock, aquaculture and vegetables have surpassed 80%, 86% and 91%, respectively, said Zhang Xingwang, vice minister of agriculture and rural affairs, at a press conference Thursday.

January 22, 2026

China clones world's first heat-tolerance gene in rice

Chinese researchers have cloned the world's first heat-tolerance gene in rice, offering a new solution to ensuring stable yields and improved quality under high-temperature conditions, said Zhou Yunlong, director general of the Department of Science, Technology and Education of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, on Thursday.

January 22, 2026

China's grain output hits new high in 2025

China recorded another bumper grain harvest last year, pushing output to a fresh high despite bouts of drought, flooding and prolonged rainfall in parts of the country, official data showed Thursday.

January 22, 2026