Four factors boost development of China's rice industry

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 ◆ Four factors boost development of China's rice industry

Four factors are essential for the rapid development and great achievements of China's rice industry, said G. S. Khush, consultant of the International Rice Research Institute.

The four major factors were government support, hard-working farmers, specialist scientists, and a favorable natural environment, said Khush, who is here attending the International Rice Congress 2002.

Khush said China, the world's biggest rice producer and consumer, has a rice industry with a bright future to which the government attaches great importance by increasing investment, nurturing talent and participating in international cooperation.

Hard-working Chinese farmers had developed the planting technology and spread it to east Asia over the past 8,000 years. Now China's rice output ranked first in the world and this could be attributed to Chinese farmers, said Khush.

He said China has the world's best rice scientists such as Yuan Longping, but with challenges such as water shortages, the rice industry needs technological support.

China could not develop the rice industry without rivers, rich soil and a warm climate in the south. China has realized the importance of sustainable development and learned to cherish and protect nature while exploiting it, he said.