Chinese scientists have succeeded in raising a new range of rice that can grow in salty water. Thus, a new type of rice could be cultivated on land that has so far not been considered for agricultural use because of the salinity and alkalinity of the soil. In this way, we could produce up to 50 million tonnes of rice annually, which could feed 200 million people.
Recently, Chinese scientists have been able to discover the first harvest of a unique type of rice growing in salty water and potentially able to feed more than 200 million people. Research on specific types of rice is carried out at the Research and Development Center of Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice in the eastern Chinese province of Shandong, where they have grown up to between 6.5 and 9.3 tonnes of a pure crop. The results are even better than expected, as scientists originally hoped that the hectare of planted rice would be served with about 4.5 tons of crop.
The type of rice, which was named 'Juan Mi', has grown with the help of seawater from the Chinese Yellow Sea. The sea water was slightly diluted with fresh water. China has about one million square kilometers of land, but due to the high levels of salinity and alkalinity in the ground, agriculture has not been possible so far. This exceptional scientific breakthrough means that China could use this land now to produce an additional 50 million tonnes of rice annually - which could feed 200 million people.
The calculations were presented by Juan Longping, an agricultural scientist, who even received the nickname 'Chinese father of hybrid rice'. Longping believes that China can increase rice production by 20 percent. People who have already tried a new type of rice say they have a good taste. It is also rich in calcium and other micro-nutrients found in saline water, and due to growth in such an environment, it is more resistant to diseases and insect attacks. Consequently, the use of pesticides could also be reduced.
But, apparently, its price is relatively high. A kilogram of this type of rice will have to pay 6,41 euros, which is several times more than a kilogram of regular white rice.
"My Thought"
If they want to keep millions of hungry mouths around this world with revolutionary rice, the price per kilogram should be lower than white rice. What do you think about this?😃
Little Joke 🙃
Have you tried salt-tolerant rice yet?
Thanks to @chiefmappster, this post was resteemed and highlighted in today's edition of The Daily Sneak.
Thank you for your efforts to create quality content!
Thanks for sharing this awesome post. I love the pictures and this great information about Juan Longping.