“Honglian hybrid rice is a pioneering breakthrough developed by the late academician Zhu Yingguo of Wuhan University, ranking among the world’s three major cytoplasmic male sterility systems alongside China’s Wild Abortive type and Japan’s BT type. Boasting inherent genetic advantages such as heat tolerance, wide adaptability, and premium grain quality, Honglian hybrid rice is widely grown across South China, as well as Belt and Road nations including Pakistan, Malaysia and the Philippines.”
“Qu Wenqian, Deputy Party Secretary of Wuhan University, noted that Honglian hybrid rice has generated over RMB 9 billion in direct economic benefits in China and Belt and Road partner countries so far. Professor Zhu Renshan of Wuhan University stressed that the Luotian base safeguards domestic seed security and shares its strengths to secure food supplies for global partners.”
“According to Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq from the University of the Punjab, about one-third of the rice cultivation area in Pakistan is dedicated to coarse rice, the production of which can be doubled if replaced with hybrid rice. ‘There is scope for hybrid rice in Sindh, Balochistan and southern Punjab. With the adoption of Honglian Type hybrid rice, production will increase manifold, adding billions of rupees to the income of farmers and the economy of Pakistan,’ he said at the symposium.”