CNRRI Hosted International Seminar on Genetic Basis and Molecular Breeding of Abiotic Stress in Rice

The International Seminar on Genetic Basis and Molecular Breeding of Abiotic Stress in Rice was held on November 18, 2024 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. The seminar was hosted by China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI).

The seminar serves to promote progress of international cooperation programs the CNRRI scientists undertook with partners from Egypt or International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), which belong to the China-Egypt Intergovernmental International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Project of National Key Research and Development Program of China, and International (Regional) Cooperation and Exchange Programs funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).

During the seminar, Prof. Hu Peisong, Director General of the CNRRI and member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) and Prof. Qian Qian, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) delivered remarks respectively. Prof. Hu, in his welcome speech, introduced scientific and technological innovation and development of the CNRRI and encouraged to deepen collaborative innovation and complementary cooperation between the CNRRI and its partners from Africa and southeast Asia, particularly in rice germplasm exchanges, technical cooperation and molecular breeding. Twenty experts shared their latest advances in rice research on abiotic stress tolerance through oral reports, contributing to spark follow-up cooperation in rice abiotic stress resistance and yield increase. Experts exchanged views on the challenge and strategies for increasing rice yield and resource use efficiency in a changing environment. The seminar laid the foundation for further in-depth cooperation in relevant fields that aims to enhancing the ability to cope with environmental changes so as to ensure food security in the Global South. 

More than 100 participants from Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), the Yazhouwan National Laboratory of China, Nanjing Agricultural University, Zhejiang University, IRRI, rice research organizations from Egypt and Uzbekistan, and other institutions attended the seminar. During the meeting, international experts visited State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding and rice experimental field.