Yunnan University team engages in perennial rice research

In the experimental field of perennial rice in Manhong village, Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture, Southwest China's Yunnan province, a dozen teachers and students from the College of Agriculture at Yunnan University in Kunming, Yunnan, are busy crossbreeding rice.

"We can crossbreed hundreds of rice plants in one day," said Li Linghong, a doctoral student at the College of Agriculture of Yunnan University. Team members spend seven to eight hours a day in the field collecting data, monitoring the growth and nutritional status of rice seedlings and observing the soil environment.

Four years ago, the perennial rice research team from the College of Agriculture at Yunnan University came to Xishuangbanna, renting experimental fields to establish small science and technology backyards and conduct regular scientific research.

"The establishment of these small science and technology backyards aims to quickly introduce perennial rice technology to farmers and villages, thereby increasing agricultural production and farmers' incomes," said Hu Fengyi, dean of the College of Agriculture of Yunnan University.

"More importantly, through scientific research, we aim to cultivate a group of innovative agricultural science and technology talents who understand and love agriculture," he added.

"There's a pest problem with our rice. What should we do?" Occasionally, during the experiments, local villagers also come to ask for advice on scientific planting techniques from the team.

"We have already become like locals, acting as both neighbors and farming partners," said Li Linghong. "We aim to turn our scientific research practices into practical experience to serve the farmers."