FUZHOU, October 22 (Xinhua) -- A long-term strategy instituted by Chinese scientists has increased the country's rice output by 7. 61 billion kilograms.
The positive result was brought by China's participation in the research of an international rice genetic evaluation network coordinated by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) based in Manila, the Philippines.
Chinese scientists began to take part in the international research activities in 1979. More than 18,000 quality rice strains have been introduced to China from the network over the past 21 years.
The scientists have selected 35 breeds and hybridized 23 new breeds based on a wide range of experiments.
Incomplete statistics show that 60 percent of China's rice planting areas used these rice varieties and acquired 7.61 billion kilograms more rice.
The IRRI and the agricultural academy of east China's Fujian Province jointly held a seminar Sunday on China's achievement in introducing the international rice genetic resources.
The two also signed cooperation plans for the 2002-04 period.
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