On the morning of June 5, Zhang Yanqiu, President of China National Seed Association and former Director-General of the Seed Industry Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, visited Yafei Agricultural Science and Technology Park to conduct field research and on-site guidance on the innovative development of the vegetable seed industry. He Yafei, General Manager of Yafei Seed, accompanied the whole visit, while relevant corporate executives and core research staff participated in the research forum.

Zhang Yanqiu toured core areas including breeding R&D test zones and germplasm resource banks, inspected the cultivation progress of key varieties such as Broccoli and Lacinato Kale, and asked detailed questions about the company’s progress in germplasm collection, variety breeding and research team development. He listened to special reports delivered by researchers on new variety trials and improved seed multiplication, gaining a full understanding of the company’s practical achievements in translating vegetable seed research into real industry results. During the research, Zhang Yanqiu fully recognized Yafei Seed’s achievements in independent vegetable breeding and accelerated transformation into a technology-driven innovative enterprise. He affirmed the breeding innovation platform built by the company, as well as its positive role in cultivating young breeding professionals and advancing breakthroughs in domestic vegetable germplasm resources.

Following the field inspection, a special forum on seed industry development was held on site. At the forum, Zhang Yanqiu delivered guiding remarks covering the national strategy for vitalizing the seed industry, development opportunities for the vegetable seed sector, and key priorities for corporate breeding research. He pointed out that 2020 marked an important watershed for China’s seed industry development. Prior to that, national seed research focused mainly on staple grain crops including rice, corn and wheat. After the launch of the Seed Industry Revitalization Action Plan, cash crops such as vegetables, melons, fruits and edible fungi have been listed as key targets to shore up weak links in domestic germplasm resources. Aligned with arrangements set forth at the national Two Sessions, the seed industry serves as the core foundation of agricultural development, and breakthrough breeding projects are being rolled out for all types of crops one by one. The revitalization of the vegetable seed industry bears heavily on people’s livelihood security and overall industrial stability, acting as a critical guarantee for the safety of residents’ “vegetable baskets”.

Zhang Yanqiu stated that Yafei Seed’s recognition as a national key seed enterprise and its undertaking of major national seed research projects represent vital efforts to resolve bottlenecks restricting domestic vegetable germplasm supply. In the past, 70% to 80% of China’s carrot seeds relied on imports, and Broccoli seeds had long been monopolized by foreign enterprises at excessively high prices. For this reason, carrots, Broccoli and small cherry tomatoes have been designated core research varieties to fix weak links in the seed industry. He praised Yafei Seed for taking the initiative to advance domestic breeding and break foreign monopolies in the seed sector, noting that the company’s breeding work closely aligns with national strategies. He encouraged all research staff to stay true to their mission and devote themselves to breeding work in their respective positions.

Zhang Yanqiu put forward clear requirements for the company’s follow-up research innovation and variety research projects. First, uphold high-end breeding positioning. Enterprises should not only ensure the availability of domestic varieties, but also pursue superior quality. Benchmarking world-leading seed brands, the company shall strive to develop independent improved vegetable seeds whose quality matches and surpasses imported varieties. Second, rationally optimize R&D layout. Prioritize the development of affordable staple varieties suited to mass markets to secure basic livelihood supply. Meanwhile, deepen research on nutrient-rich specialty and high-end niche varieties to enrich the improved seed system and satisfy both basic mass consumption and demand for high-end upgraded produce.

Corporate management and research specialists at the meeting listened carefully to the guidance and shared insights combined with their own research work. All participants expressed that they would seize policy opportunities brought by the seed industry revitalization strategy, focus on original germplasm innovation, prioritize research on key varieties such as Broccoli, devote themselves to breeding technology research, fully break through technical bottlenecks in vegetable germplasm resources, and fuel the high-quality development of China’s domestic vegetable seed industry through seed technology innovation.

Zhang Kai, Director of China National Seed Association, and Chang Huamin, President of Hubei Seed Association, accompanied the entire research activity.