On April 9th, the National Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice Technology Innovation Center (hereafter referred to as the National Innovation Center) led the initiation of the National Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice Industry Association, in collaboration with relevant scientific research institutions and leading enterprises. The launching ceremony took place at the Yajian Bay Science and Technology City in Sanya, Hainan Province.
According to reports, the establishment of the association will further strengthen the connection between the industry chain and the innovation chain, facilitating the formation of a sound mechanism for "two-way circulation of the two chains." The National Innovation Center will provide technical support to relevant enterprises.
Bai Lianyang, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and chairman of the National Innovation Center, stated that the development of saline-alkali tolerant rice research and industry is a great cause benefiting both the nation and the people. The association provides a platform for communication in the national saline-alkali tolerant rice industry, facilitating the integration of innovative resources and promoting deep cooperation along the industry chain. It is hoped that under the guidance of the association, everyone will unite and concentrate their efforts to jointly promote the development of the saline-alkali tolerant rice industry and contribute to the national food security.
Xu Jingbo, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, stated that the industrialization of saline-alkali tolerant rice is not only a requirement for the construction of the National Innovation Center but also a demand of the market. The Industry Association will play a good role as a bridge and link, promoting the scaled, standardized, and clustered development of the national saline-alkali tolerant rice industry.
Fan Xiaobing, Deputy Director of the National Innovation Center, revealed that since its approval for construction in 2021, the center has approved a total of 11 saline-alkali tolerant rice varieties, with the highest per-acre yield reaching 580.06 kilograms in moderately saline-alkali land. The newly cultivated saline-alkali tolerant hybrid rice variety "Jingliangyou 3261" has the advantages of good salt tolerance, excellent rice quality, and strong resistance, and is expected to become the dominant variety in saline-alkali coastal areas in the south. "By 2030, the center plans to incubate and serve more than 50 saline-alkali tolerant rice and related industry enterprises, cultivating 3 to 5 industry-leading enterprises with an annual output value of over 100 million CNY."
