Science and technology provide strong support for the development of modern agriculture

Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture held a press conference. Tang Ke, Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Education of the Ministry of Agriculture, introduced the relevant situation of China's agricultural science and technology innovation and application, and answered questions from reporters.

The per-mu yield of the fourth phase of China's super rice over a 100-mu plot exceeded 1000 kg

At the press conference, Tang Ke was the first to announce good news: on the morning of the 10th, the Ministry of Agriculture organized experts to conduct a yield measurement of the fourth phase of the China super rice 1000 kg per-mu project led by Academician Yuan Longping. The yield measurement results showed that the per-mu yield of the fourth phase super rice over a 100-mu plot in Xupu County, Hunan Province exceeded 1000 kg, setting a new record of 1026.7 kg. This is the result of the joint efforts and long-term struggle of a large number of agricultural science and technology workers led by Academician Yuan Longping, and is also a tremendous contribution to the cause of agricultural science and technology.

New progress in agricultural science and technology has laid a solid foundation for the “ten consecutive increases” in grain output

Tang Ke said that in recent years, the Ministry of Agriculture has earnestly implemented the innovation-driven development strategy and promoted innovation in the systems and mechanisms of agricultural science and technology, providing strong scientific and technological support for sustained increases in grain output and sustained increases in farmers' incomes. In 2013, the contribution rate of agricultural scientific and technological progress reached 55.2%. The new progress in agricultural science and technology is mainly reflected in three aspects.

First, important breakthroughs were made in independent innovation of crop varieties and in tackling key production technologies, forming a number of original major achievements and laying a solid foundation for the “ten consecutive increases” in China's grain output. A large number of new crop varieties with high per-unit yield, good quality and strong stress resistance were bred. During the “Twelfth Five-Year Plan” period, more than 370 new varieties of grain and cash crops were bred. In addition to super rice, the high-quality fragrant rice varieties bred accounted for more than 70% of the domestic high-grade fragrant rice market, breaking the monopoly of foreign varieties in the high-grade rice market; the new wheat variety Jimai 22 accounted for 12% of the country's total wheat planting area; and a series of new corn varieties bred repeatedly set large-area high-yield records in areas such as the Huang-Huai-Hai region. In addition, 23 new livestock and poultry varieties, 35 new forage varieties and 19 new aquaculture varieties were bred.

A series of major achievements in genetically modified organism breeding were made. Eight core technologies, including gene cloning, transgenic operation and biosafety evaluation, were overcome, and 96 key genes such as insect resistance, herbicide resistance, high quality and high yield were obtained, breaking the long-term technological monopoly of developed countries. New transgenic insect-resistant cotton varieties such as Zhongmian 70 were bred, bringing the market share of domestically produced insect-resistant cotton to 95%.

A number of light, simplified and standardized advanced and practical technologies were researched and developed. More than 50 sets of efficient crop cultivation technologies and more than 70 new technologies for livestock, poultry and aquaculture feeding and management were developed. The developed deep loosening high-yield cultivation technology for corn increased the average corn yield in demonstration areas by 150 kg per mu; a large number of efficient, light and labor-saving agricultural mechanization equipment was developed; more than 50 kinds of green pesticides and 22 kinds of new veterinary drugs were developed, and a number of major pest and disease prevention and control technologies were integrated, effectively enhancing the ability of agricultural production to prevent and mitigate disasters and continuously control harm.

Second, remarkable results were achieved in the reform and construction of the grassroots agricultural technology promotion system, and a platform for the transformation and trading of agricultural scientific and technological achievements was built, establishing a fast channel for the transformation and application of scientific and technological achievements.

Third, new progress was made in the construction of agricultural research platforms and innovative talent teams, and a new system for cultivating professional farmers was established, injecting new vitality into agricultural production.

The modern agricultural industry technology system plays an important role in disaster resistance and relief

The vast number of researchers in the agricultural research system, including the three academies under the Ministry of Agriculture and agricultural research and teaching institutions at all levels, the modern agricultural industry technology system, and the key laboratory system of discipline clusters, are called a force of one hundred thousand with twenty thousand elite. Based on industry needs and scientific and technological planning, this elite force researches and develops advanced and applicable technologies and solves practical problems in industrial development. The modern agricultural industry technology system has played an important role in increasing agricultural production and income, and in resisting disasters, mitigating disasters and providing disaster relief.

Tang Ke introduced that more than 2000 experts in this system, together with their teams totaling more than 9000 people, undertake urgent, difficult, dangerous and heavy tasks at critical moments. For example, on the front lines of emergency response to incidents such as the Northeast “armyworm” problem, H7N9 avian influenza and the drought in the Southwest, this team rushed to the front and could be deployed, relied upon and victorious, and can be said to be especially able to endure hardship, especially dedicated and especially capable in battle. According to incomplete statistics, over more than 6 years, system experts have cumulatively participated in about 18,000 person-times of technical guidance services for agricultural disaster resistance and relief, proposed nearly 1000 technical solutions of various types, formed more than 300 disaster situation investigation reports, and participated in responding to more than 10 major emergencies, becoming the main force in using science and technology to respond to China's agricultural disasters and emergencies.