China will soon set up a potato research center for the
Asia-Pacific region.
The move shows the world's biggest producer and consumer of the
tuber is committed to spending more on global agricultural
research.
The new center will be part of Peru-based International Potato
Center, one of 15 under the Consultative Group on International
Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Most of the 15 centers were set up
in the 1960s and 1970s with funds from industrialized
countries.
CGIAR Director Wang Ren sees the government's "increased
commitment" as a sign of its responsible role in helping reduce
global poverty and improve human development. The renowned
agricultural scientist assumed his post in the Washington-based
research alliance in July.
"The new center, approved by the State Council, shows China's
political willingness to share its advanced agricultural knowledge
with the rest of the world," Wang told China Daily.
With instructions from Premier Wen Jiabao, the central
government has already approved funding for the new sub-center,
said Zhang Lubiao, international cooperation director of the
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, which is likely to help
set up the center.
"But we have met some procedural problems before the plan sees
the light of the day," Zhang said.
China became a member of the research alliance in 1984, and
seven centers have set up liaison offices in China since then. "Two
more will open shop in Beijing soon."
The cooperation has yielded good results. An estimated 95
percent of the hybrid rice varieties now grown in China have CGIAR
parental material. "Cooperation-88," an aptly named potato
developed by CGIAR with Chinese partners, has helped the country
become the world's largest potato producer and consumer.
"Despite the many positive progress, challenges facing
agriculture and agricultural research have not been met," Wang
said. The creation of sustainable, equitable and socially
responsible development remains high on China's development
agenda.
To further intensify the cooperation, the Washington-based
research alliance organized its annual conference in Beijing that
starts today, with more than 1,000 scientists from across the world
expected to attend the two-day event.
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Vice-President Zhang
Lijian said China will share its expertise to ensure global grain
security.
(China Daily December 3, 2007)